Rybakina bags AO title

KAZAKHSTAN'S Elena Rybakina speaks during the press conference after defeating Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s singles final on Day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 1, 2026. IZHAR KHAN / AFP

Published on:

31 Jan 2026, 17:14

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Elena Rybakina stifled her emotions to take revenge over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and win the Australian Open (AO) on Saturday for her second Grand Slam title.

The big-serving Kazakh fifth seed held her nerve to pull through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne in two hours and 18 minutes.

It was payback after the Belarusian Sabalenka won the 2023 final between two of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis.

Elena Rybakina AO 2026

Australian Open women’s final

Aryna Sabalenka tennis rivalry

Latest Stories

No stories found.