Australian Open Final: Elena Rybakina Beats No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Claims Maiden Melbourne Title
Elena Rybakina sealed victory with an ace in Melbourne! The Russian-born Kazakhstani beat Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 1 from Belarus, in three sets (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) to claim her maiden Australian Open women's singles title on Saturday (January 31, 2026). In front of a packed Rod Laver Arena crowd, the 26-year-old took the first set with relative ease but lost the second, then dug deep in the decider to claim her second Grand Slam title. Lasting two hours and 19 minutes, the title clash saw the World No. 4 complete her revenge for the 2023 final defeat, also in three sets. Jennifer Capriati, a two-time Australian Open champion in 2001 and 2002, presented the trophies. On Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz will seek his first Major Down Under, and the top-seeded Spaniard will face Serbian great and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a forehand to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays a backhand to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan returns a shot from Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus returns a shot from Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan reacts during her match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus tries to stop a ball from Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays a backhand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan returns a shot from Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a forehand to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves the ball to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after winning a set against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves the ball to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus gestures after losing a point to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus tosses her racket after losing her serve to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan reacts during her match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan is congratulated by Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus after the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan holds The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, left after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at right during the trophy ceremony for the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after losing her match against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus to win the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus to win the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Elena Rybakina, center, of Kazakhstan holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup as she poses with her team after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus to win the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
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