Australian Open Final 2026: Sabalenka and Rybakina Set for Epic Rematch
The stage is set for a monumental clash at Melbourne Park as world number one Aryna Sabalenka prepares to battle fifth seed Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open women's singles final. This highly anticipated showdown marks a rematch of their dramatic final from three years ago, promising another exhibition of power tennis between two of the sport's most formidable hitters.
Path to the Final: Dominant Runs Without Dropping a Set
Both competitors have displayed exceptional form throughout the tournament, achieving a remarkable statistical feat. Sabalenka and Rybakina have become the first players to advance to a Grand Slam women's final without conceding a single set since the Williams sisters accomplished this in 2008. Sabalenka, aiming to reclaim the title she lost to Madison Keys in last year's final, is seeking her third Australian Open crown in four years. Her victory over Rybakina in the 2023 final secured her maiden title at this event.
Rybakina has demonstrated her capability against elite opposition, extending her impressive winning streak against top-10 ranked players with victories over Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula en route to her first Grand Slam final appearance in three years. Although she fell to Sabalenka in their previous Melbourne final, the 2022 Wimbledon champion gained significant momentum with a statement win over the world number one at the WTA Finals concluding last season.
Start Time and Broadcast Information
The women's singles final is scheduled to commence not before 8:30 AM GMT on Saturday 31 January. The match will follow the conclusion of both the women's and men's doubles finals on Rod Laver Arena.
Order of Play for Day 14 - Saturday 31 January:
- 12:00 AM GMT: Women's Doubles Final - Krunić/Danilina vs Mertens/Zhang [4]
- Not before 3:30 AM GMT: Men's Doubles Final - Kubler/Polmans vs Harrison/Skupski [6]
- Not before 8:30 AM GMT: Women's Singles Final - Aryna Sabalenka [1] vs Elena Rybakina [5]
For viewers in the United Kingdom, comprehensive live coverage will be provided by TNT Sports, with additional streaming available via Discovery+. American audiences can watch the action unfold on ESPN and the Tennis Channel.
Head-to-Head History and Player Perspectives
This encounter represents the fifteenth professional meeting between these two athletes, with Rybakina currently holding an 8-6 advantage in their rivalry. After Sabalenka secured victory in their initial four contests, Rybakina has claimed six of the subsequent ten matches, including their most recent confrontation at the WTA Finals in November.
Sabalenka enters her seventh consecutive hard-court Grand Slam final, showcasing remarkable consistency as she pursues her fifth major title overall. Reflecting on her opponent, Sabalenka remarked: "I think her shots are heavy, deep, flat balls. It's not easy to work. We have a great history. She's an incredible player. We had a lot of great battles, a lot of finals we played. I'm looking forward to battling this power." She added: "Me and her, we both are different players [from 2023]. We went through different things. We're much stronger mentally and physically, and we're playing better tennis now."
Rybakina, acknowledging their previous final encounter, stated: "Last match we played here, it was very close. Throughout the match I had some little opportunities, but in the end of the third set, I think Aryna stepped in. She served much better. She deserved that win." Looking ahead to Saturday's final, she emphasized: "Many years passed, a lot of matches have been played. Hopefully with all the experience which I got from this last match, the last final I played here, I can bring it to Saturday's match and do my best, focus on my serve. Since we are both very aggressive players, serve is important. Fight till the end, and hopefully this time it's gonna go my way."
This final promises to be a captivating contest between two athletes at the peak of their powers, each determined to etch their name on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
