Elena Rybakina defeats top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to win first Australian Open title

Elena Rybakina stunned top-ranked women’s tennis pro Aryna Sabalenka connected Saturday to triumph her archetypal Australian Open and her 2nd Grand Slam title, earning redemption aft her erstwhile nonaccomplishment to Sabalenka successful 2023. 

Rybakina, 26, rallied from 3-0 successful the 3rd acceptable to decision Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and triumph her 2nd rubric since claiming her archetypal astatine Wimbledon successful 2022. 

Elena Rybakina plays a backhand instrumentality to Aryna Sabalenka during the women’s singles last astatine the Australian Open tennis title successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

"It’s an unthinkable achievement, I’m ace blessed and proud," Rybakina said of her win, speaking to the media aft the match. "It was a truly pugnacious conflict and I didn’t expect to crook it around… Aryna is simply a precise pugnacious opponent, but I’m ace blessed that this clip I’m holding the trophy." 

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Rybakina had a accidental against Sabalenka successful 2023, but it would beryllium Sabalenka’s archetypal of back-to-back Australian Open titles.

"Last time, I was adjacent but I did not truly play that well," Rybakina recalled. "I knew adjacent contiguous if I get a accidental to pb that I volition request to effort immoderate risky shots and conscionable spell for it." 

It was a pugnacious nonaccomplishment for Sabalenka, who fell successful past year’s Australian Open last to American tennis prima Madison Keys.

Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her lucifer against Elena Rybakina successful the women’s singles last astatine the Australian Open tennis title successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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"Of course, I person regrets. When you pb 3-Love and past it felt similar successful a fewer seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a interruption — it was precise fast," Sabalenka said. "Great tennis from her. Maybe not truthful astute for me.

]"But arsenic I say, contiguous I’m a loser, possibly time I’m a winner. Hopefully I’ll beryllium much of a victor this play than a loser. Hoping close present and praying."

Saturday’s triumph moved Rybakina into the No. 3 spot.

Elena Rybakina holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup aloft aft defeating Aryna Sabalenka to triumph the women’s singles last astatine the Australian Open tennis title successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

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The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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