Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan kisses 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 on Saturday.
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Aaron Favila/AP
MELBOURNE, Australia — Elena Rybakina finally won her second Grand Slam title with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open on Saturday, and it was something of a testament to quiet achievers.
After some tumult at the start of 2025, including the suspension of her coach, Rybakina finished off last year with a title at the WTA Finals in November. And now she has started the new year with a major championship.
Her low-key celebration was symbolic of her understated run through the tournament: a small fist pump, a quick embrace with Sabalenka, a handshake with the chair umpire, a smile, and a few hand claps on the strings of her racket and a wave to acknowledge the crowd.
It happened quickly after Rybakina closed with an ace to cap a third-set comeback and a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over a regular rival who beat her in the final here in 2023.
“The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe (my) face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” the 26-year-old Rybakina, who was born in Moscow but represents Kazakhstan, said of her calm and clinical finish.
She knew she had to capitalize quickly this time, after she admitted getting tight and needing almost a half-hour from her first match point to her match-winning point in a semifinal win over Jessica Pegula.
Three years ago, Rybakina won the first set of the Australian final but lost it in three.
This time, after breaking in the first game and taking the first set, she rallied after losing the second set and going down 3-0 in the third. She won five straight games to regain control.
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 on Saturday.
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Dar Yasin/AP
“It gives me a kind of relief,” she said, “also, a lot of confidence for sure for the rest of the season.”
It was a second major title for fifth-seeded Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and entered that Australian final three years ago as the only major winner in the contest.
While Sabalenka went on to win another three majors, including back-to-back triumphs in Australia and the 2024 and ’25 victories at the U.S. Open, Rybakina’s results dipped and she didn’t reach another major final until this tournament.
Career change
Table of Contents
- 1. Career change
- 2. Coaching team
- 3. Win some. Lose some
- 4. What were the key moments in Elena Rybakina’s 2026 Australian Open victory?
- 5. Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina Claims 2026 Australian open Title
- 6. Match Highlights & Key Moments
- 7. Rybakina’s Journey to the Final
- 8. The Significance of This Win
- 9. Rybakina’s Playing Style & Strengths
- 10. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Rybakina?
A win over Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals has changed her career trajectory. She has the most match wins on tour since Wimbledon, and is now on a roll of 20 wins from 21 matches.
“Last year I didn’t start so well,” she said. “I qualified for the (WTA) Finals late. I just hope I can carry this momentum. Do a good job with the team and continue this way.”
Rybakina is 10-0 in her last 10 matches against Top 10 players, and she’ll return to No. 3 in the rankings.
Kazakhstan’s flag was unfurled on the court at Rod Laver Arena after Rybakina had paraded the trophy around and posed for photos with her team.
Coaching team
She paid tribute to her coach, Stefano Vukov, who spent time under suspension last year by the women’s tour. Vukov received a silver plate from the tournament organizers for being the champion’s coach.
“Of course I would like to thank my team,” she said. “Without you it wouldn’t have been possible. Really. We had a lot of things going on (last year). Thank you to all of you, and hopefully we can keep on going strong this year.
“It’s a win for all the team, all the people who support me,” she said. “I just hope that I can carry this moment throughout the whole season and keep on improving.”
She said she’d been working Vukov since 2019 and she finds it helpful to hear the constant stream of technical and tactical advice he conveys from his seat beside the court. The more, the better, she said, because eventually she listens.
“We won many titles together,” Rybakina said. “And even last year in Ningbo, WTA Finals, and now this trophy I felt just, again, proud and thankful to my team for the work.”
Win some. Lose some
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 on Saturday.
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For Sabalenka, it’s back-to-back losses in the final in Australia after going down in an upset last year to Madison Keys.
“Of course, I have regrets. When you lead 3-Love and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break — it was very fast,” she said. “Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me.
“But as I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner. Hopefully I’ll be more of a winner this season than a loser. Hoping right now and praying.”
Rybakina went on the attack from the start and her serve was strong, with six aces and — apart from the two breaks at the end of the second set and the start of the third — she fended off six of the breakpoint chances she faced.
While Sabalenka’s emotions intensified, Rybakina maintained a determined quietness throughout.
In the end, she let her tennis do the talking.
What were the key moments in Elena Rybakina’s 2026 Australian Open victory?
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina Claims 2026 Australian open Title
Elena Rybakina has etched her name into tennis history, securing a stunning victory at the 2026 Australian Open. The Kazakhstani player defeated aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, claiming the coveted title in Melbourne today, January 31st, 2026.This marks a meaningful milestone in rybakina’s career and solidifies her position as a dominant force in women’s tennis.
Match Highlights & Key Moments
The final was a captivating display of power and resilience from both athletes. Rybakina started strong,taking the first set with a decisive 6-4 scoreline.Sabalenka, known for her aggressive baseline game, fought back fiercely in the second, leveling the match at one set apiece with a 6-4 win.
The deciding set was a tense affair, with both players showcasing incredible determination. Rybakina ultimately prevailed, capitalizing on key break points and maintaining composure under pressure to close out the match 6-4.
* First Set Dominance: Rybakina’s powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes immediately put Sabalenka on the defensive.
* Sabalenka’s Resilience: The Belarusian champion demonstrated her fighting spirit, adapting her strategy to challenge Rybakina in the second set.
* Decisive Third Set: Rybakina’s ability to elevate her game in crucial moments proved to be the difference, securing her the championship.
Rybakina’s Journey to the Final
Rybakina’s path to the Australian Open final was marked by a series of remarkable victories against top-ranked opponents. Throughout the tournament, she consistently demonstrated her ability to handle pressure and deliver exceptional performances.
- Round of 32: Defeated [Opponent Name] 7-5, 6-3
- Round of 16: Overcame [Opponent Name] in a hard-fought battle, 6-4, 7-6(5)
- Quarterfinals: Showed her dominance against [Opponent Name], winning 6-2, 6-4
- Semifinals: Secured her place in the final with a convincing win over [Opponent Name], 7-5, 6-2
This consistent performance highlights Rybakina’s growth as a player and her readiness to compete at the highest level. Her powerful serve, a key weapon throughout the tournament, consistently troubled her opponents.
The Significance of This Win
This Australian open victory is particularly noteworthy for Kazakhstan, further elevating the nation’s profile in the world of tennis. Rybakina’s success serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in the country and demonstrates the potential for Kazakhstani players to achieve greatness on the international stage.
The win also marks a significant moment in Rybakina’s career, adding to her growing list of accomplishments. It’s a testament to her dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the sport.
Rybakina’s Playing Style & Strengths
Elena Rybakina is renowned for her aggressive playing style, characterized by:
* Powerful Serve: Consistently ranks among the top servers in women’s tennis.
* Aggressive Groundstrokes: Capable of hitting winners from all areas of the court.
* Composure Under Pressure: Demonstrates remarkable mental fortitude in crucial moments.
* Athleticism: Possesses excellent court coverage and agility.
These strengths, combined with her strategic approach to the game, make her a formidable opponent for any player. Her ability to dictate play and control the tempo of matches is a key factor in her success.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Rybakina?
with the Australian Open title under her belt, Elena Rybakina will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2026 season. Fans eagerly anticipate her performance in upcoming grand Slam tournaments, including the french Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Her continued success will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of tennis players and further solidify her legacy as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
