Elena Rybakina clinched her maiden Australian Open title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a gripping 2026 women’s singles final, avenging her loss in the 2023 championship match.
The 26-year-old Kazakh struck 28 winners in a two-hour, 18-minute battle to secure her second Grand Slam title after Wimbledon 2022. Unbeaten in sets before the final, Rybakina showcased resilience by overturning a third-set deficit to regain control.
The victory marked a major resurgence for the world No.5, following a difficult previous season, and denied Sabalenka a fifth Grand Slam crown.