Elena Rybakina advanced to the Australian Open 2026 final with a 6-3, 7-6(7) victory over Jessica Pegula, setting up a rematch of the 2023 title clash against Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3. Both players reached the final without dropping a set, marking the first such occurrence since 2008. The showdown on January 31 will see Rybakina seek her second Grand Slam title while Sabalenka aims for her third Australian Open crown.
The 2026 Australian Open women's semifinals delivered high drama on January 29 in Melbourne, Australia, as Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka secured their spots in the final. In the first semifinal, world No. 1 Sabalenka dominated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3, extending her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 19 matches. The match featured a rare hindrance call on Sabalenka's prolonged grunt early in the first set, which she described as "pissed me off" but ultimately fueled her aggression. "She really pissed me off, and it actually helped me and benefited my game," Sabalenka said post-match, noting it made her more aggressive. Due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, there was no post-match handshake between the Belarusian and Ukrainian, a pattern since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Tournament officials preempted crowd boos with an announcement, and Sabalenka expressed respect: "It's their decision, and I respect that."
In the second semifinal, fifth seed Rybakina edged sixth seed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6(7) in a tense battle. Pegula, seeking her first major final at age 31, saved three match points at 5-3 in the second set and broke Rybakina twice to force a tiebreak. Rybakina, however, saved two set points and closed with her sixth ace and return winner. "It was really stressful," Rybakina admitted, recalling a heartbreaking 22-20 tiebreak loss to Anna Blinkova in 2024. The 26-year-old Kazakh, who leads Sabalenka 3-1 in finals, improved to 4-3 against Pegula.
Both finalists advanced without dropping a set, a feat last achieved by Serena and Venus Williams at Wimbledon 2008. Sabalenka, the 2023 and 2024 champion, leads their head-to-head 8-6 but Rybakina won their latest meeting at the 2025 WTA Finals. Rybakina will reclaim No. 3 in the rankings, while Sabalenka remains No. 1. The final, scheduled for January 31 at 7:30 p.m. local time on Rod Laver Arena, promises a power-packed rematch of their 2023 duel, which Sabalenka won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.