Australian Open 2026: Rybakina Outclasses Swiatek To Reach Final Four
In the earlier quarterfinal at Rod Laver Arena, Elena Rybakina defeated Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-1 to prevent the Polish player from completing a career Grand Slam of singles titles. Pegula will play Rybakina in one semifinal on Thursday, while top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will play Elina Svitolina in the other. Rybakina and Pegula are 3-3 in head-to-head play. Swiatek is a four-time French Open champion and has won the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. She was trying to become the 11th woman to complete a career Grand Slam. The first set took an hour and Rybakina broke Swiatek in the final game. The second was almost the opposite.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan signs after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Elena Rybakina, right, of Kazakhstan is congratulated by Iga Swiatek, left, of Poland following their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Iga Swiatek of Poland gestures as she questions a line call during her quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves to Iga Swiatek of Poland during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a backhand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a backhand return to Iga Swiatek of Poland during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dar Yasin
Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a forehand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves to Iga Swiatek of Poland during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a backhand return to Iga Swiatek of Poland during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Iga Swiatek of Poland plays a backhand return to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
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