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Elena Rybakina Vs Jessica Pegula, Australian Open: Fifth Seed Sets Up Final Against Aryna Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina warded off Jessica Pegula's strong resistance in the second set to emerge victor 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) in the second Australian Open 2026 women's singles semi-final on Thursday (January 29) at Melbourne Park's Rod Laver Arena. The fifth-seeded Rybakina seemed nearly unstoppable in the first set and a half, before Pegula bounced back. The American saved three match points and forced a tiebreak in the second set, which the Kazakh eventually took to set up a second final meeting with Aryna Sabalenka in four editions of the season-opening Grand Slam.

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan reacts after winning her semifinal match against Jessica Pegula of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
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Elena Rybakina, left, of Kazakhstan is congratulated by Jessica Pegula, right, of the U.S. following their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Elena Rybakina, left, of Kazakhstan is congratulated by Jessica Pegula, right, of the U.S. following their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a forehand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a forehand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. reacts during her semifinal match against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. reacts during her semifinal match against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a backhand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a backhand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. reacts during her semifinal match against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. reacts during her semifinal match against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a backhand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a backhand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. serves to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. serves to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a forehand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a forehand return to Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
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Tennis Australian Open Jessica Pegula Elena Rybakina Australian Open Tennis Championship
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