Elena Rybakina stuns Aryna Sabalenka to win Australian Open and bank huge prize money
Elena Rybakina has won the second Grand Slam title of her career, with the Kazakhstani star overcoming Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday morning.
Both players went into the showdown at the Rod Laver Arena having not dropped a set throughout the competition.
Something was always going to have to give as a result and Rybakina enjoyed a dream start, breaking her rival’s serve in the first game of the match.
She was then able to close out the first set, winning it 6-4, putting more and more pressure on Sabalenka as a result.
The second was a cagey affair.
Sabalenka knew she had to summon some magic to boost her chances of winning her third title in Melbourne after previous triumphs in 2023 and 2024.
The decisive moment came when the 27-year-old was 5-4 up, with the Belarusian able to secure a vital break in order to force a decider.
Elena Rybakina was outstanding as she won the Australian Open title on Saturday
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At first, it looked as though the pendulum would swing her way.
Sabalenka secured a vital break to go 2-0 up and, as the world No 1, the majority inside the Rod Laver Arena were expecting her to go all the way.
Rybakina, however, didn’t read the script.
ELENA RYBAKINA IS AN AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION 🏆
The No.5 seed defeats Aryna Sabalenka in an enthralling three-set encounter in Melbourne 👏 @wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/iWAAHFZFHR
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2026
The Kazakhstani star hasn’t always been able to show her true quality over the years, with a Wimbledon title in 2022 her sole Grand Slam triumph to date.
She had made the Australian Open the following year, only to come up short against Sabalenka.
On that occasion, Sabalenka edged the decider. This time around, however, her rival was able to get the sweetest of revenges.
Rybakina broke Sabalenka to move back to 3-2 before holding her serve and saving a break point, with the tension inside the ground increasing with each and every point.
And another break then put her ahead and within touching distance of the trophy she craved the most.
Sabalenka, sensing that a sensational upset was on the cards, tried everything to give herself a fighting chance.
Elena Rybakina was delighted after winning the Australian Open for the first time in her career
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After the changover, the Belarusian stormed back onto the court with a steely expression hoping to conjure something that could save her.
However, it wasn’t to be.
After losing the first point, Rybakina drew level with a thunderous forehand that left her opponent with no chance. Another big hit moved her to 30-15.
There were some nerves, with Sabalenka restoring party. Rybankina then served big to put her on match point and took it at the first opportunity, serving a sensational ace to seal her title.
The 26-year-old won the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
And it also means she’s claimed a huge $4,150,000, which works out at around £2,110,000.
