Elena Rybakina Downs Aryna Sabalenka To Win Australian Open
Rybakina closed with an ace to beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena on Jan. 31, 2026.
Overview
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to win the Australian Open on Jan. 31, 2026, closing with an ace on her first championship point, tournament records show.
The victory gave 26-year-old Elena Rybakina her second Grand Slam title after Wimbledon 2022 and will move her to No. 3 in the world rankings, according to WTA officials.
Elena Rybakina thanked coach Stefano Vukov and her team during the trophy ceremony and said she hoped to "carry this momentum" for the rest of the season, tournament organizers said.
Rybakina won five straight games after trailing 0-3 in the third set, served six aces in the match, and has won 20 of her last 21 matches, tour statistics show.
WTA officials said Rybakina will move to No. 3 in the world when the next rankings are released on Feb. 2, 2026.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Rybakina as a composed, resilient 'quiet achiever,' using evaluative language (e.g., serene, let her serve and her returns do the talking) and contrasting it with Sabalenka’s vocal intensity. Source selection and structure emphasize a comeback narrative, coaching redemption, and national symbolism, shaping a triumphant, character-driven storyline.
Sources (9)
FAQ
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes.
Elena Rybakina will move to No. 3 in the WTA rankings when updated on February 2, 2026.
This is Elena Rybakina's second Grand Slam title; her first was Wimbledon in 2022.
Rybakina trailed 0-3 in the third set but won five straight games to take the lead and closed with an ace on championship point.
Elena Rybakina thanked her coach Stefano Vukov and team, expressing hope to carry the momentum for the rest of the season.
History
4 sources