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Elena Rybakina stunned professional women’s tennis player Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday by winning her first Australian Open and second Grand Slam title, earning redemption after her previous loss to Sabalenka in 2023.
Rybakina, 26, rallied from 3-0 down in the third set to defeat Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and win her second title since claiming her first at Wimbledon in 2022.
Elena Rybakina returns a backhand to Aryna Sabalenka during the women’s singles final of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
“It’s an incredible achievement, I’m super happy and proud,” Rybakina said of her victory, speaking to the media after the match. “It was a really tough battle and I didn’t expect to turn it around… Aryna is a really tough opponent, but I’m really happy to have the trophy this time.”
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Rybakina had a chance against Sabalenka in 2023, but it would be the first of Sabalenka’s back-to-back Australian Open titles.
“Last time I was close, but I didn’t play very well,” Rybakina recalls. “Even today I knew that if I have a chance to lead, I will have to try some risky shots and go for it.”
It was a tough loss for Sabalenka, who lost in last year’s Australian Open final to American tennis star Madison Keys.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her match against Elena Rybakina in the women’s singles final of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Aarón Favila)
ARYNA SABALENKA ADDRESSES THE UKRAINIAN OPPONENT’S DECISION TO SKIP THE HANDSHAKE after the Australian Open semi-final
“Of course, I regret it. When you led 3-Love and then I felt like in a few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break, it was very fast,” Sabalenka said. “Great tennis on your part. Maybe not so smart for me.
]”But like I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’ll be a winner. Hopefully I’ll be more of a winner this season than a loser. I hope now and I pray.”
Saturday’s win moved Rybakina into the No. 3 spot.
Elena Rybakina holds up the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka to win the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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