Elena Rybakina added another Grand Slam trophy to her collection on January 31, 2026, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final at the Australian Open. The 25-year-old Kazakh player prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, securing her first title in Melbourne and her second major championship overall.

The match was a tale of momentum swings and mental fortitude. Rybakina took control early, claiming the opening set 6-4 with her trademark powerful groundstrokes and precise serving. However, Sabalenka, the world number one seeking a third consecutive Australian Open title, fought back impressively in the second set to level the match.

What followed in the third set will be remembered as one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent Grand Slam history. Sabalenka appeared to have seized control when she won five consecutive games across the second and third sets to open up a 3-0 lead in the decider. The Belarusian seemed destined to complete her hat-trick of Melbourne titles.

But Rybakina refused to surrender. With her back against the wall, she delivered an ace to hold serve at 3-1, sparking an extraordinary five-game winning streak that turned the final on its head. The momentum shift was complete, and the Kazakh star never looked back.

On championship point, Rybakina appropriately sealed her triumph with another ace, her most reliable weapon throughout the fortnight. The victory gave her a 12th career WTA title and improved her record in Grand Slam finals to an impressive 2-1.

The statistical symmetry of the final was remarkable. Both players won exactly 92 points throughout the contest, highlighting just how evenly matched they were and how fine the margins were in deciding the champion. It was a match that could have gone either way, ultimately decided by Rybakina's ability to raise her level in the crucial moments.

During the trophy presentation, an emotional Rybakina struggled to express her feelings. She said it was hard to find words and congratulated Sabalenka for her amazing results over the past couple of years. For her part, Sabalenka was gracious in defeat, telling the crowd she loved being there and playing in front of them, calling them incredible support.

The victory extends Rybakina's outstanding run of form. She has now won 20 of her last 21 matches and no WTA player has recorded more victories since Wimbledon last summer. Her 9-1 start to the 2026 season signals that she is playing the best tennis of her career.

With this triumph, Rybakina has effectively clinched her spot at the WTA Finals and established herself firmly among the elite players of her generation. Her first Grand Slam came at Wimbledon in 2022, and nearly four years later, she has proven that victory was no fluke. At 25 years old, she appears poised to challenge for more major titles in the years ahead.

The head-to-head between Rybakina and Sabalenka now stands at 7-8 in favor of the Belarusian, setting up what promises to be one of the most compelling rivalries in women's tennis for the foreseeable future.