Australian Open Women's Final Round-up | Elena Rybakina wins maiden Australian Open title after composed third set comeback against stunned Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka played out a very high quality 2026 Australian Open final. In the end, it was Rybakina who kept her cool to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and win a first major title Down Under.

Rybakina took an early lead in the first set and saw it out until the end, with both players looking good on their serve. It was Sabalenka who then made the first big move, winning five games on the trot to take the second set and go 3-0 ahead in the third. However, the tension and frustration would soon get to her, as the four-time Grand Slam champion unravelled on court.

A five-game streak for the Kazakh was something that Sabalenka could not cope with, going from 3-0 to 5-3. Rybakina would serve it out, and get the job done for a second Grand Slam title, and a first since Wimbledon 2022.

It was a sluggish start for Sabalenka, who could not settle in the early parts of the match. Despite going 30-0 ahead, she would get peppered by some blistering Rybakina returns, flying past her with a first break point oof the match in sight. Rybakina could not take the first one but was making no mistake moments later to already to take the advantage.

More unforced errors came from the Belarusian as Rybakina held to love, but a massive ace gets her on the board. She was in desperate need to get a break back and could be in luck with Rybakina not getting many of her first serves in, three out of the first nine to be exact. However, she lost just one point on serve in her opening two games, which was a double fault.

Sabalenka stuck with her, holding to love. However, she was failing to make a dent on the Rybakina serve. Some pinpoint shots from Rybakina at the most acute angles were almost impossible for the world number one to retrieve. A small fightback in the game by Sabalenka was neutralised very quickly.

The two-time champion then had her chance. Finally, she was able to find a way past the Rybakina serve and muster up two break points. This is when Rybakina chose to hit two massive serves, leaving Sabalenka no chance before winning two consecutive points afterwards to keep her advantage. Sabalenka forced Rybakina to serve it out and was just a passenger with the 26-year-old sprinting towards a set advantage in this final.

Sabalenka had been in this position before against Rybakina in an Australian Open final, back in 2023 where she completed a terrific comeback to win her first major title. She also lost the first set last time they met in the WTA Finals, where Rybakina stormed to glory in an excellent performance.

She looked for an opening, and thought she had her golden chance. While Rybakina struggled to get the game won, Sabalenka had three break points throughout. Rybakina put in some clutch big hitting and avoided the threat. The Kazakh eventually got over the line and got back level at 2-2.

The holds would continue throughout the second set. Both players were finding joy on their serve. However, the pressure was mounting up in this Grand Slam final, and one player would falter under this immense demand.

It would be Sabalenka who would benefit from this. Out of nowhere, she came up with a break to love as she finally got one over the Rybakina serve to win the second set, with this women’s final going the distance on Rod Laver Arena.

From the off, Sabalenka was in control. After both players left the court, she was the one who raced out of the blocks, completing a controlled hold before finding a critical break with some big backhands utilised. She then does brilliantly not to be broken instantly back by her opponent. After falling 30-40 down, Sabalenka follows a big forehand with an even bigger roar as she sailed into a 3-0 lead.

This showcased the dominance Sabalenka had, winning the last five games in a row. However, Rybakina was not finished. She got a hold on the board before another twist in this final cropped up as she broke the Sabalenka serve to put this match back on an even playing field.

There was a chance that a third break on the bounce was in store with Rybakina once more struggling to get her first serves in. However, Sabalenka’s attacking shot just went out and the 2023 runner-up managed to confirm a third game in a row.

This phenomenal run would continue for Rybakina, with the tension building on court. Sabalenka was getting affected by this, and it would cost her dearly as she whacks a forehand into the net to gift Rybakina the lead for the first time in this set.

It would be five games in a row after she held, with Sabalenka forcing her opponent to serve it out for the title after ending a barren spell on court. The ice-cool Rybakina composedly saw it out to win a magnificent Australian Open title. It was too much to take for Sabalenka, who had her towel over her head after a second consecutive Australian Open final defeat, and a third Grand Slam final loss in five events.