Australian Open

LIVE: Rybakina strikes back with a rebreak!

2026 Australian Open winner: Yelena Rybakina(Bild: AFP/MARTIN KEEP)

She actually did it: Jelena Rybakina has somewhat surprisingly swung herself to victory in the Australian Open for the first time!

The Kazakhstani prevailed in a highly dramatic Melbourne final against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka after 2 hours and 18 minutes in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, coming back from a quick 0-3 deficit in the final set. She will receive a winner's check worth the equivalent of €2.44 million for her second major title after Wimbledon 2022. The 26-year-old Kazakh Rybakina narrowed the head-to-head score to 7-8 and improved her WTA ranking from fifth to third. Sabalenka, meanwhile, lost for the fourth time in her eighth major final.

Women's final played indoors
The final was playedindoorsbecause the roof of Rod Laver Arena was closed from the start due to rain. Rybakina got off to a strong start in the 15th duel between the two finalists. She took advantage of her second break point in the very first game and confirmed the break with a service game to love to make it 2-0. Everything went to serve until 4-3, then Sabalenka found two rebreak opportunities, but the Kazakh saved herself with good serves. Rybakina held her serve and after 37 minutes she won the first set 6-4 with her first set point.

The second set remained evenly balanced, but Sabalenka was more untouchable on her serve. At first, the world number one squandered three break points to make it 2-0, but at 5-4, the more consistent favorite managed her first break to love and thus level the set. The match continued in this vein, as Sabalenka used the momentum to break again for 2-0. In her fourth consecutive final "down under," she now seemed to be on course for victory.

Rybakina turns 0-3 around in the third set
But coach Stefano Vukov's shouting at 0-3 ("You have to put more energy into it") paid off: Rybakina served two aces and then managed to break back to 2-3 and level the score. Once again, it showed how much a tennis match is also a mental game. Rybakina turned the match around, broke to make it 4:3 and was on the verge of victory after five games in a row. After a final "breather" by Rybakina, which Sabalenka used to close the gap to 5:4, the Kazakh ended the match in a repeat of the 2023 final with her first match point...

The Australian Open women's finals since 2000:

• 2000: Lindsay Davenport (USA) – Martina Hingis (SUI) 6-1, 7-5

• 2001: Jennifer Capriati (USA) – Martina Hingis (SUI) 6:3, 6:4

• 2002: Jennifer Capriati (USA) – Martina Hingis (SUI) 4:6, 7:6, 6:2

• 2003: Serena Williams (USA) – Venus Williams (USA) 7:6, 3:6, 6:4

• 2004: Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) – Kim Clijsters (BEL) 6:3, 4:6, 6:3

• 2005: Serena Williams (USA) – Lindsay Davenport (USA) 2:6, 6:3, 6:0

• 2006: Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) – Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) 6:1, 2:0 retirement

• 2007: Serena Williams (USA) – Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6:1, 6:2

• 2008: Maria Sharapova (RUS) – Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 7:5, 6:3

• 2009: Serena Williams (USA) – Dinara Safina (RUS) 6:0, 6:3

• 2010: Serena Williams (USA) – Justine Henin (BEL) 6:4, 3:6, 6:2

• 2011: Kim Clijsters (BEL) – Li Na (CHN) 3:6, 6:3, 6:3

• 2012: Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-3, 6-0

• 2013: Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – Li Na (CHN) 4:6, 6:4, 6:3

• 2014: Li Na (CHN) – Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 7:6(3), 6:0

• 2015: Serena Williams (USA) – Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6:3, 7:6(5)

• 2016: Angelique Kerber (GER) – Serena Williams (USA) 6:4, 3:6, 6:4

• 2017: Serena Williams (USA) – Venus Williams (USA) 6:4, 6:4

• 2018: Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) – Simona Halep (ROU) 7:6(2), 3:6, 6:4

• 2019: Naomi Osaka (JPN) – Petra Kvitova (CZE) 7:6(2), 5:7, 6:4

• 2020: Sofia Kenin (USA) – Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4:6, 6:2, 6:2

• 2021: Naomi Osaka (JPN) – Jennifer Brady (USA) 6:4, 6:3

• 2022: Ashleigh Barty (AUS) – Danielle Collins (USA) 6:3, 7:6(2)

• 2023: Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) – Elena Rybakina (KAZ) 4:6, 6:3, 6:4

• 2024: Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) – Zheng Qinwen (CHN) 6:3, 6:2

• 2025: Madison Keys (USA) – Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 6:3, 2:6, 7:5

• 2026: Yelena Rybakina (KAZ) – Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4