Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 3-2 Elena Rybakina*
Thank goodness we got a deciding set after the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Back on serve. Which way will this final swing next?
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:41
BREAK! Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 3-2 Elena Rybakina*
Rybakina continues to show more energy with a return winner on the opening point… and she is charging now as she thunders the backhand winner down the line to get to two break points!
A twist! Rybakina finds depth and Sabalenka nets on the forehand. Rybakina is back in it!
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:39
*Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 3-1 Elena Rybakina
Sabalenka has won the last five games in a row, and she wants a sixth! A stunning sliced drop shot is followed by the backhand winner to get to 30-30.
Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov is demanding more energy and she responds with an ace, followed by another big serve down the middle.
It closes the door and ends the run.
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:36
Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 3-0 Elena Rybakina*
Sabalenka comes through a testing, potentially pivotal, game. She slams the overhead to hold and tightens her grip on the final set.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:32
*Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 2-0 Elena Rybakina
Here comes Rybakina! Sabalenka makes a forehand error on the opening point. Rybakina is able to move inside the court and put the forehand winner away to get to 15-30.
Sabalenka has not faced break point since the opening game but will do so now as Rybakina finds depth on the return against the second serve.
Rybakina’s return is short and Sabalenka steps in to save with the forehand winner – Sabalenka roars after it as she gets to deuce and battles to stay ahead!
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:31
BREAK! *Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 2-0 Elena Rybakina
Sabalenka finds a deep return and then blasts the forehand winner to get to 30-30.
Rybakina can’t find the first serve, just one of five in this game, and Sabalenka gets into the point.
WHAT A SHOT FROM SABALENKA! A brilliant backhand winner, crosscourt, flashes past Rybakina to win a 16-point rally.
Break point. Sabalenka gets another look at second serve and thunders the backhand winner.
Rybakina made just one of her six first serves and Sabalenka takes advantage!
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:27
Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 1-0 Elena Rybakina*
Rybakina has not been able to target the Sabalenka serve as fiercely as she did right at the start of the match. Rybakina nets on the forehand return down the line as Sabalenka holds.
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:22
*Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 0-0 Elena Rybakina
Sabalenka was the dominant player in the second set and did not face a break point, such was the strength of her first serve. After Rybakina saved break points earlier in the set, she collapsed to 0-40 serving to stay in the set at 5-4.
Sabalenka maintains her remarkable record of not losing a grand slam match in straight-sets in 113 matches, going back to the US Open in 2020.
Like 2023, Sabalenka and Rybakina head to a third set in the Australian Open final.
And finally, for just the second time since the fourth round, a women’s singles match goes the distance.
Aryna Sabalenka (AP)
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:16
SECOND SET! Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 Elena Rybakina
Rybakina looks a little hesitant coming into the net and messes up the pick-up. Sabalenka senses her moment. A brilliant forehand winner is blasted past Rybakina.
0-30. A huge chance for Sabalenka, two points from the set. Rybakina pulls the forehand wide and Sabalenka will get three set points for the chance to level this!
Rybakina has not found a first serve…. Sabalenka has the look at the forehand pass, and whips the shot. Rybakina, looking to block, can’t control the volley.
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:12
Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 5-4 Elena Rybakina*
Sabalenka moves a game away from the second set. She leans into the backhand winner down the line and then holds as Rybakina nets on the return. Over to Rybakina.
Sabalenka has won 18 of her 19 first-serve points in the second set, but only three of 10 on the second. If we head to a tiebreak ,which I think we will, that first-serve percentage will be crucial.
Jamie Braidwood31 January 2026 10:08