Elena Rybakina on facing Aryna Sabalenka again in Australian Open final
“It was a great battle [three years ago]. I think in the end she played a bit better. Se won that match, very deserved. I just want to enjoy it, that’s for sure, and hopefully I’m gonna serve better than today. I’m so excited to play.”
Elena Rybakina lost to Aryna Sabalenka in three sets three years ago (Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 12:21
Elena Rybakina after reaching Australian Open final: ‘It was such a battle’
”It was such a battle. It was an epic second set and I’m really glad that I managed to win it. Jessica played so well in the second set, she fought until the end. I’m just super happy to be in the final.
“It was really, really stressful. I had an epic tiebreak here a couple of years ago, I lost it. and a little flashback came, you know. I’m super happy that in the end it it turned my way and looking forward to play on Saturday.
“I’m pretty proud that, no matter the situation, I was leading, and then of course it was very tight, I still stayed there. I was fighting for each point. Actually, the match started really well, also comparing the previous matches I played. So overall it’s a lot of positives to take.”
(AP)
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 12:18
Australian Open final set as Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina book rematch
Three years on, Elena Rybakina is back in the Australian Open final, where she will face the woman who beat her that day in the world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Their three-set battle in 2023 was an instant classic, and changed so much for Sabalenka. That was her first grand slam title, and she returns now as the dominant No 1 and four-time grand slam champion.
Rybakina has not been in a major final since then but she is coming back into her best form. She beat Sabalenka in the WTA Finals in November in a brilliant performance, showing she can beat the No 1.
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 12:13
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Elena Rybakina 6-3 7-6 (9-7) Jessica Pegula
Rybakina’s serve delivers to save the second set point and get it back to 7-7.
Just in time, Rybakina blasts the ace and it brings up a fourth match point! But it’s on Pegula’s serve
Rybakina this time makes sure and blasts the backhand return down the line!
A great fight from Pegula, but Rybakina showed her strength there to close it out when it got nervy.
It will be Sabalenka v Rybakina in the final, a rematch of their 2023 classic.
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 12:07
TIEBREAK! Jessica Pegula 3-6 6-6 Elena Rybakina
Pegula continues to scrap, refusing to go down from 4-2 down! Rybakina continues to show some nerves, firing wide on the backhand.
She is bailed out by a big serve down the middle. But then Pegula finds a brilliant angle on the backhand and slams the over head.
Pegula will have set point! But Rybakina responds by finding her forehand strike. Pegula had no chance and it remains tight at 6-6 in the breaker.
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 12:04
TIEBREAK! Jessica Pegula 3-6 6-6 Elena Rybakina
Pegula with an outstanding effort on the opening point, but the mini-break swings back to Rybakina after a couple of errors. Rybakina then blasts the forehand winner to move 4-2 ahead at the change of ends.
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 11:58
BREAK! Jessica Pegula 3-6 6-6 Elena Rybakina
This has been an admirable fight from Pegula, and Rybakina continues to show nerves as she balloons a forehand long! 30-30.
Pegula attacks the Rybakina forehand and comes out on top in the exchange! She brings up another break-back point.
Pegula nets on the forehand but gets another opportunity as she attacks the second serve and fires her way through.
Wow! Rybakina goes long again and Pegula continues to survive. She scraps into a tiebreak.
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 11:55
BREAK! Jessica Pegula 3-6 5-6 Elena Rybakina*
Gutting for Pegula! Rybakina holds up her hands after clipping the net-cord, then follows it up with a forehand winner. Pegula continues to struggle on serve, and Rybakina breaks straight back as she outlasts her on the rally. Pegula cracks her racket behind the baseline.
Rybakina will get a second opportunity to serve for the final.
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 11:48
BREAK! *Jessica Pegula 3-6 5-5 Elena Rybakina
Oh wow. Pegula rips a forehand winner down the line, then stuns Rybakina with a backhand return winner.
0-30 and suddenly Rybakina has to overcome a charging Pegula in order to close this out.
Rybakina does what she does best and finds two first serves. Pegula then on the first, but the second is an ace.
But Rybakina then nets! And then, on break point, Rybakina blasts long on the forehand!
Pegula breaks back after saving three match points!
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 11:44
Jessica Pegula 3-6 4-5 Elena Rybakina*
Rybakina set up a third match point with a belting forehand crosscourt winner, but then fires long.
Pegula hangs on. She holds, but now needs to break the massive weapon of Rybakina’s serve.
Three match points saved, though. Could that be a turning point?
Jamie Braidwood29 January 2026 11:40