Sabalenka and Rybakina Set for Australian Open Final Rematch After Dominant Semifinal Performances
In a thrilling development at the Australian Open, world number one Aryna Sabalenka and fifth seed Elena Rybakina have secured their spots in the women's singles final, setting up a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 championship clash. Both players showcased exceptional form in their semifinal victories on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, advancing without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
Sabalenka's Commanding Victory Over Svitolina
Aryna Sabalenka delivered a masterclass performance, dominating 12th-seeded Elina Svitolina with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win in just 76 minutes. The Belarusian powerhouse unleashed 29 winners, effectively thwarting Svitolina's bid for a maiden Grand Slam final appearance. Sabalenka's victory extends her impressive record at Melbourne Park, where she has won 26 of her last 27 matches, positioning her as the hot favorite for the title.
Reflecting on her performance, Sabalenka expressed her satisfaction, stating, "I'm just super happy to be through this tough match. I felt like I had to step in and put as much pressure as I could back on her, and I'm glad that the level was there today. I played great tennis and happy to get the win in straight-sets." This final marks her fourth consecutive appearance in the Australian Open final, a feat previously achieved only by legends Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis in the professional era.
Rybakina's Gritty Win Against Pegula
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, demonstrated resilience in her semifinal clash, defeating sixth seed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (7) in one hour and 40 minutes. The match saw a tense moment when Rybakina squandered three match points in the ninth game and struggled to serve out the victory, but she held her nerve to clinch a dramatic tiebreak with a powerful backhand down the line.
Rybakina commented on the battle, saying, "It was such a battle. I'm glad I was able to win it and super happy to be in the final." Looking ahead to the rematch with Sabalenka, she added, "It was a great battle we played. Just in the end she played a bit better. She won that match, very deserved. I want to enjoy the final and hopefully I'm going to serve better than today and that will help me."
Alcaraz Advances to Men's Final in Epic Five-Set Thriller
In the men's singles, top seed Carlos Alcaraz secured a hard-fought victory over No. 3 Alexander Zverev, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 in a late Friday afternoon match on January 30. This epic five-set battle propels Alcaraz to within one win of claiming his first Australian Open title. He will face the winner of the other semifinal between two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner and 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, which was still ongoing at the time of reporting.
Women's Doubles Finalists Determined
In the women's doubles competition, fourth seeds Zhang Shuai of China and Elise Mertens of Belgium stormed into the final with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ena Shibahara and Vera Zvonareva. They are set to face seventh-seeded Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic in the championship match, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament's concluding events.
The stage is now set for a blockbuster weekend at the Australian Open, with Sabalenka and Rybakina poised to renew their rivalry in a final that promises high stakes and intense competition, while Alcaraz aims to capture his maiden title in Melbourne.
