Elena Rybakina Beats Aryna Sabalenka to Win 2026 Australian Open Women's Final Bracket

Elena Rybakina used a late rally to pull off a three-set victory over Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open for the first time in her career.

The No. 5 seed won five consecutive games in the final set after falling behind 3-0 to get in position for the win. She capped off the comeback in the 10th game with an ace on match point.

Rybakina won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in an extremely tight back and forth match between the two stars. Sabalenka had a slight advantage in total winners (35-28) and committed one fewer double-fault (three to two).

The total points in the match was even at 92 apiece. Rybakina had the edge on serve with one more ace (six to five) and one more break point won (three to two).

Sabalenka looked to be in complete control when she won five straight games starting at the end of the second set. She broke Rybakina's serve in the second game of the final set as part of that streak.

The turning point appeared to be in the sixth game when Sabalenka had a chance to win the game up 40-30, but an unforced error on a backhand shot evened things up. Rybakina won the next two points to take the game and never looked back.

After Sabalenka's serve was broken in the seventh game, she went to her chair on the sideline during a timeout and put a towel over her head. The top seed was able to hold serve in the ninth game to keep some hope alive.

Rybakina didn't let that discourage her, as she had three winners before her ace on championship point.

The victory marks Rybakina's second grand slam title. She previously defeated Ons Jabeur in the 2022 Wimbledon final. Her only other appearance in a grand slam final was at the Australian Open in 2023 when she lost to Sabalenka in three sets.