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.

Updated on: 29 January 2026 5:52 pm

Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-9

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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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-10

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

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-11

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

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-12

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

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-1

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

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-2

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

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-3

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

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-4

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-5

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

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-6

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-7

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Jessica Pegula vs Elena Rybakina Australian Open semifinal match-8

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