Elena Rybakina powered her way into the 2026 AO women’s final after a gripping 6-3, 7-6(7) SF victory over Jessica Pegula, showcasing composure under pressure in a match that lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes. The Kazakh star surged ahead early but faced turbulence while closing out the contest, surrendering two later breaks before steadying herself in a tense second-set tiebreaker. What did Rybakina say after this epic duel?

Saving two set points, the No. 5 seed stayed mentally strong to secure her second AO final appearance and the third Grand Slam final of her career. Speaking after her hard-fought win, Rybakina reflected on the significance of the moment. “It means a lot. Thank you so much for coming. It was a tough battle. It was an epic 2nd set. I’m really glad I managed to win. Jessica played so well in the 2nd set. She fought till the end. I’m super happy to be in the final.”

She also praised her own resilience during the match, adding, “I’m pretty proud that no matter the situation, I was leading... it got really tight, and I still stayed there. I was fighting for each point. Just happy… actually, the match started really well, also compared to the previous matches I played. Overall, it’s a lot of positives to take.” With this win, Elena Rybakina has become the fourth active player to win her first two AO women’s singles SFs.

Over the last decade, Rybakina has also etched her name into another exclusive club, becoming only the third player to reach the WTA Finals final and the AO final in consecutive years, following in the footsteps of Aryna Sabalenka and Caroline Wozniacki.

According to Elena Rybakina, the tiebreaker was “really stressful,” and despite moments of inconsistency on serve, Rybakina emphasized her growing belief in her all-around game. Against Iga Swiatek in the QF, she fired 11 aces, but against Pegula, it came down to 6.

12 sets won, 0 sets dropped en route to the final. Rybakina has won 19 of her last 20 matches, and guess what? This was her ninth consecutive victory against a Top 10 opponent. Next up for her is the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka. What does the Kazakh star have to say about the ultimate challenge in Melbourne?

Elena Rybakina is “excited” to take on Aryna Sabalenka in the 2026 AO final

The 2026 Australian Open women’s final is set to deliver a blockbuster showdown as Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka prepare to renew one of the WTA Tour’s fiercest rivalries. Beyond the star power, this clash carries historic significance. It will be the first Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 2008 (Serena vs. Venus Williams) to feature two players who have not dropped a single set throughout the tournament.

This highly anticipated final is also a rematch of the 2023 Australian Open championship, where Sabalenka edged Rybakina in a high-quality battle. Since then, their rivalry has only intensified, with both players establishing themselves as consistent title contenders at the highest level.

Sabalenka currently leads the head-to-head 8–6, but Elena Rybakina claimed their most recent meeting at the WTA Finals in Riyadh last year. The pair have split their last six encounters, underlining just how evenly matched they are. On hard courts specifically, Rybakina holds a narrow edge, leading 6–5, setting the stage for a finely balanced duel.

Rybakina and Sabalenka will also become the first pair since Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport (1999–2000) to meet in both the WTA Finals final and the Australian Open final in the following year—another marker of their sustained dominance at the top of the game.

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 in the SF, and the two-time AO champion is now on an 11-match winning streak. She has unleashed more winners than any other player in the tournament (172). When asked about facing Elena Rybakina’s power, Sabalenka showed respect and excitement. 

“I think her shots are heavy, deep, flat balls that are not easy to work with. We have a great history. She’s an incredible player. We had a lot of great battles... a lot of finals we played. If it’s gonna be her, I’m looking forward to battling this power.”

On the other side, Elena Rybakina showcased her calm and confidence before entering this blockbuster clash. “I'm going to come here tomorrow, practice a bit... Actually, maybe to switch a little bit, I will go to the city. A little bit of shopping... who knows?”

Reflecting on her previous final against Sabalenka in 2023, she added, “Yeah, it was a great battle we played. I think in the end she played a bit better. She won that match very deservedly. I want to enjoy the final. That’s for sure. Hopefully I’m gonna serve better than today, and it’s gonna help me… We’ll see. I’m so excited to play.”

With both players unbeaten in sets, armed with huge serves, relentless baseline power, and a history of epic finals, the Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina showdown promises fireworks. Who is your pick for this epic battle?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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