Elena Rybakina stunned top seed and rival Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open and her second grand slam title, overturning the world No 1 in a rollercoaster final set where she won six of the final seven games.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner, who had not reached a grand slam final in three years, took down the top seed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to earn revenge for her 2023 Australian Open final defeat to the same opponent after Sabalenka appeared to be in charge.
In doing so, she denied Sabalenka a third Australian Open title and handed the world No 1 another tough defeat in a major final. Sabalenka has now lost two Australian Open finals in a row, and three out of her last four grand slam finals since the start of last season, losing here from a break up in the decider.
“She played incredible match and tried my very best. I was fighting until the very last point,“ Sabalenka said. “I had my opportunities. It feels like I missed couple, but it's tennis. Today you're loser. Tomorrow you're winner. Hopefully I'll be more of a winner this season than a loser.”
Rybakina, meanwhile, has now won 10 matches in a row against top-10 opponents, a run that started at the WTA Finals at the very end of last season as she defeated Sabalenka in the final. The 26-year-old took that form into the Australian Open to win the title.
After one of the most dramatic days in Australian Open history, tomorrow - one way or another - history will be made as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet with two career-defining achievements on the line.
Follow live updates from the Australian Open finals weekend, below
Read MoreAnother brutal Australian Open defeat highlights Aryna Sabalenka’s contradiction
Elena Rybakina’s coach presented with trophy after Australian Open victory
How Novak Djokovic proved us all wrong in vintage Australian Open comeback
Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz start time and how to watch Australian Open final
Australian Open latest scores and updates
- Elena Rybakina stuns Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4 to win Australian Open
- Rybakina battles from behind in final set to win second grand slam title
- Sabalenka handed another tough defeat after leading final set 3-0
- Sabalenka: 'It's tennis: today you're loser, tomorrow you're winner'
- Britain’s Neal Skupski wins Australian Open men’s doubles with Christian Harrison
- Tomorrow, history will be made as Novak Djokovic faces Carlos Alcaraz
How does Djokovic recover / prepare for Sunday’s final?
17:07 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic: “I don’t know. Let’s see. You know, it’s almost 3am... Yeah, let’s see.
“I cannot make any predictions right now. Definitely not going to train tomorrow, just going to use every hour I possibly can to recover.
“Hopefully get out on the finals day feeling somewhat refreshed.”
Djokovic’s four-word response reveals motivation behind epic run
16:37 , Jamie BraidwoodDjokovic seemingly hit back at his critics on Friday, with a subtle message in the aftermath of his Australian Open win against Sinner.
In the moments after his win against Sinner, Djokovic wrote on a camera lens on Rod Laver arena – a customary move for most players at most tournaments. However, while most players sign their names, Djokovic took the opportunity to send a message.
“Nesto ste rekli?” he wrote in Serbian, which translates to: “Did you say something?”
The message has been interpreted as a response to his Djokovic’s critics, whom he later addressed during a post-match press conference.
Novak Djokovic’s four-word response reveals motivation behind epic run in Australia
How Carlos Alcaraz made history with Australian Open fightback
16:07 , Jamie BraidwoodCarlos Alcaraz’s recovery made history, with the chance of another significant record to come as he chases a first Australian Open title. At 22, Alcaraz is the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the final at all four grand slam tournaments – ahead of Jim Courier, who achieved the feat in 1993.
Alcaraz also moves one win becoming the youngest man in history to complete the career grand slam - ahead of Don Budge, who achieved the feat in 1938. Rafael Nadal is the youngest player to complete the career grand slam in the Open era, and was 24 when he did so in 2010.
Jim Courier was courtside and interviewed Alcaraz after his latest epic, and pointed out the history he can create on Sunday. Thank you for putting so much pressure on me right now,” Alcaraz laughed. “Kidding, kidding!
“I'm just really, really happy to have the chance to play my first final here in Melbourne. It's something that I was pursuing a lot, chasing a lot, having the chance to fight for the title.
“Hopefully on Sunday it's gonna be a great atmosphere. I can't wait. Right now my head is about recovering as much as I can, just to try to be in a good shape, to put a show for you guys. See you on Sunday!”
How Novak Djokovic proved us all wrong in vintage Australian Open comeback
15:37 , Jamie BraidwoodThe 38-year-old Djokovic stunned defending champion Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set stand to keep his dream of a 25th grand slam alive by returning to the Australian Open final.
How Novak Djokovic proved us all wrong in vintage Australian Open comeback
Britain’s Neal Skupski wins Australian Open men’s doubles with Christian Harrison
15:17 , Jamie BraidwoodNeal Skupski continued Britain's impressive recent record in men's doubles by winning the Australian Open title alongside American Christian Harrison.
The newly-formed pair, playing in just their second tournament together, defeated Australian wild card pair Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans 7-6 (4) 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.
It is the third time in the last five grand slam tournaments that there has been at least one British winner, with Henry Patten lifting this trophy last year alongside Finn Harri Heliovaara before the home duo of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool triumphed at Wimbledon.
Britain’s Neal Skupski wins Australian Open men’s doubles with Christian Harrison
Elena Rybakina to return to career-high No 3 ranking
14:57 , Jamie BraidwoodOn Monday, Elena Rybakina will return to the world’s top three for the first time since June 2023.
She swaps places with No 3 Coco Gauff, who drops to No 5. Aryna Sabalenka remains ahead of Iga Swiatek at No 1 and No 2.
Elena Rybakina's strong run to Australian Open title
14:37 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina is the first player to win the Australian Open title while beating three top-10 opponents since Naomi Osaka in 2019.
She defeated No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No 2 Iga Swiatek and No 6 Jessica Pegula, continuing her winning streak against top-10 opponents to 10 matches.
First round - def. Juvan 6-4 6-3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2026
Second round - def. Gracheva 7-5 6-2
Third round - def. Valentova 6-2 6-3
Fourth round - def. (21) Mertens 6-1 6-3
Quarterfinal - def. (2) Swiatek 7-5 6-1
Semifinal - def. (6) Pegula 6-3 7-6(7)
Final - def. (1) Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4
A champion's… pic.twitter.com/RWPpDqS20j
Elena Rybakina’s coach presented with trophy after Australian Open victory
14:17 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina’s coach, Stefano Vukov, was presented with his own trophy after her Australian Open triumph, a year on from being banned from attending the event amid an investigation into his conduct.
Former Wimbledon winner Rybakina won her second grand slam title by defeating world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets, three years on from her last appearance in a grand slam final when she lost to Sabalenka in Melbourne.
Last year, Vukoc was provisionally suspended by the WTA pending an investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct. Due to the investigation, he was unable to be accredited for the Australian Open.
Elena Rybakina’s coach presented with trophy after Australian Open victory
Elena Rybakina: 'I always believed I could get back to this level'
13:59 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter Elena Rybakina’s previous appearance in the Australian Open final three years ago, frustrating spells of illness and injury followed.
But she says she always believed she could became a grand slam champion again, after her 2022 Wimbledon triumph.
“Of course, we all have ups and downs. I think everyone thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work.
“I think we've been putting a lot of work in with the team, and they were also very supportive. In the moments when I was maybe not that positive, they would be helping out on the side.
“When you get some wins, big wins against top players, then you start to believe more, you get more confident. That was the kind of way.”
Elena Rybakina sums up her Australian Open triumph
13:39 , Jamie Braidwood“Well, it's an incredible achievement. Super happy and proud. It was really tough battle. I didn't expect to turn it around. Got some opportunities.
“Aryna is a very tough opponent, but I'm super happy that this time I'm holding the trophy.
“I knew that today if I get a chance to lead that I will need to try some risky shots and just go for it. Not wait for any mistakes or even get to the long rallies.
“It's amazing to hold this trophy this time.”
Another brutal Australian Open defeat highlights Aryna Sabalenka’s contradiction
13:19 , Jamie BraidwoodThe positive for Aryna Sabalenka is that she is getting better at losing. The negative for the sport’s dominant No 1 is obviously implied - and the defeats in grand slam finals aren’t getting any easier, either.
“It's tennis: today you are a loser, tomorrow you are a winner,” Sabalenka reasoned. As Elena Rybakina overturned Sabalenka’s third-set lead, battling from 3-0 down in the decider to win the next five games and serve for the Australian Open title, the Belarusian’s latest defeat in a grand slam final continued a pattern.
Another brutal Australian Open defeat highlights Aryna Sabalenka’s contradiction
Aryna Sabalenka: 'I was really upset with myself but she was the better player'
13:00 , Jamie Braidwood“Once again, I had opportunities. I played great until a certain point and then I couldn't resist that aggression that she had on court today.
“I was just really upset with myself, but I think overall I played great tennis here in Australia.
“Even in this final I feel like I played great. I was fighting. I did my best, and today she was a better player.”
Tomorrow: Novak Djokovic faces Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open final
12:41 , Jamie BraidwoodOne way or another, history will be made in the Australian Open final on Sunday as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet with two career-defining achievements on the line.
After one of the most dramatic semi-final days the tournament has seen, Djokovic returned to his 11th Australian Open final by stunning the defending champion Jannik Sinner in five sets to move one win away from the standalone record of 25 grand slam singles titles. Djokovic, at 38, is also bidding to become the oldest Australian Open champion of all time.
At the other end of the scale, world No 1 Alcaraz can become the youngest man of all time to complete the career grand slam, at the age of 22, after reaching his first Australian Open final. The Spaniard triumphed in five hours and 27 minutes to beat Alexander Zverev in five sets on Friday, in the longest semi-final in the tournament’s history.
Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz start time and how to watch Australian Open final
Aryna Sabalenka 'moving towards the right direction' despite defeat
12:26 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka is asked about her record in grand slam finals, now that she has lost a third in four attempts, taking her overall record to 4-4.
It’s clearly a tough loss for Sabalenka to process, but she maintains that she handled the occasion much better than her defeats to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff last year.
“Overall it was much better than last year, the two finals I lost. Level-wise and the decisions I was making and the way that the mentality was throughout the whole match, I was still there, I was ready to fight, I knew that she was not going to give it easily to me.
“So I think overall I made huge improvement on that, and I still lost it. But it's okay. I feel like I'm moving towards the right direction.
“Ambitions are still the same. Keep fighting, keep working hard, keep putting myself out there, and try my best if I'll have another chance in the final. Just go out there and do my best.”
Aryna Sabalenka: 'It's tennis: today you're loser, tomorrow you're winner'
12:13 , Jamie Braidwood“She played incredible match and tried my very best. I was fighting until the very last point.
“I had my opportunities. It feels like I missed couple, but it's tennis. Today you're loser. Tomorrow you're winner. Hopefully I'll be more of a winner this season than a loser. Hoping right now, and praying.
“Of course I have regrets. When you lead 3-Love and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break. So it was very fast.
“Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me. But as I say, today I'm a loser, maybe tomorrow I'm a winner, maybe again a loser.”
Championship point! How Elena Rybakina won Australian Open
12:10 , Jamie BraidwoodIce cool from Rybakina. The ace. The clenched fist. A hint of a smile, even! A grand slam champion again.
Watch out Wimbledon? Rybakina is back as a grand slam contender
11:58 , Jamie BraidwoodWith her first serve and big first-strike, Rybakina is going to be a massive contender at each of the major tournaments this season. Four years on from her breakthrough Wimbledon triumph, she might return to Centre Court as the big favourite.
Aryna Sabalenka suffers another tough defeat in a major final
11:46 , Jamie BraidwoodSince the start of last season, Sabalenka has a 5-6 record in finals.
That includes defeats to Madison Keys at the Australian Open, Coco Gauff at Roland Garros, Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals, and Rybakina at the Australian Open.
The No 1 led 3-0 in the final set, only for Rybakina to win five games in a row and six of the last seven in total, to hand Sabalenka another tough defeat.
Sabalenka’s consistency is undisputed - with seven grand slam finals in a row at the hard-courts. But her frustration in finals continues.
A match-up problem for Aryna Sabalenka?
11:36 , Jamie BraidwoodWe will have to wait and hear from Sabalenka to understand how much of a difference the closed roof on Rod Laver Arena made, with the indoor conditions favouring Rybakina’s flat serving.
Sabalenka has now lost seven of her last 11 matches against Rybakina, though, after defeats in the Australian Open final and at the WTA Finals. She is dominant against most other players, but Rybakina is a problem.
Elena Rybakina carries brilliant form into Australian Open title run
11:26 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina’s sensational form began towards the end of last season. She put together a string of wins to qualify for the WTA Finals, where she beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the title.
After beating top seed Sabalenka in the final, second seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals and sixth seed Jessica Pegula in the quarter-finals, Rybakina has won 10 matches in a row against top-10 opponents.
Rybakina has also won 20 of her last 21 matches.
Elena Rybakina, composed as ever, celebrates with the Australian Open trophy
11:21 , Jamie Braidwood“I’m speechless right now,” says the chill Rybakina. “But of course I want to congratulate Aryna with the amazing results for a couple of year. I know it's tough but I just hope that we're gonna play many more finals together and of course congrats to your team for all the improvements, a great job you've done.
”I want to say thank you of course to you guys [the crowd] for such an incredible atmosphere. It was a battle and honestly your support kept us going. Thank you so much to Kazakhstan
”And of course I would like to say thank you to my team, without you it won't be possible, really. We had a lot of things going on and I'm really glad that we achieved this result.”
Aryna Sabalenka: 'Let’s hope next year the cup will be ours'
11:15 , Jamie Braidwood“Honestly guys, I’m speechless right now,” Sabalenka begins. “First of all, congratulations Elena and your team for this achievement.
“I hope next year is going to be better for me. Thank for my team for enjoying me losing finals - but also sometimes we win them, so let’s hope for the best. Let’s hope next year the cup will be ours.”
Australian Open trophy presentation underway
11:11 , Jamie BraidwoodThe trophy presentation has been a tough scene for Aryna Sabalenka over the past couple of years when she has been the runner-up. She has to face the ceremony once again.
Elena Rybakina becomes a two-time grand slam champion
11:09 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina rushes to hug her team and greet her family in the stands. Three years on from losing to Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, she is a grand slam champion again. Four wins on from that Wimbledon triumph.
Sabalenka covers her face with a towel. How, how, how is she going to figure out this grand slam final conundrum? Rybakina really just found a way to step it up in the final set.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Elena Rybakina stuns Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4
11:06 , Jamie BraidwoodRemarkable. Elena Rybakina has done it again to Aryna Sabalenka. The 26-year-old smiles, shakes her fist and hugs Sabalenka at the net after winning her second grand slam and first Australian Open.
A typically composed celebration from Rybakina. Sabalenka, from 3-0 up in the final set, is beaten in a third grand slam final from her last four.
ELENA RYBAKINA WINS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN
11:03 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina stunned top seed and rival Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open and her second grand slam title, overturning the world No 1 in a rollercoaster final set where she won six of the final seven games.
Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 4-6 Elena Rybakina
11:02 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka responds with a winner - but Rybakina delivers the first serve ace down the middle to bring CHAMPIONSHIP POINT.
ACE FROM RYBAKINA!
Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 4-5 Elena Rybakina*
11:01 , Jamie BraidwoodA big forehand-forehand exchange on the opening point. Sabalenka will fight for this and Rybakina nets!
How will this first serve stand up. Rybakina goes wide, Sabalenka attacks, but Rybakina fires the winner down the line!
15-15. A huge forehand winner from Rybakina takes her two points away! Unstoppable!
Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 6-4 4-5 Elena Rybakina*
10:59 , Jamie BraidwoodHow are your nerves, Elena Rybakina?
Hello and welcome
06:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka bids to regain her Australian Open crown as she faces Elena Rybakina in a big-hitting rematch of their dramatic final from three years ago.
The world No 1 was stunned by Madison Keys in last year’s final but is looking to win her third title in four years after reaching another final in Melbourne, having beaten Rybakina to win her first in 2023.
Both have been in dominant form this tournament, and Sabalenka and Rybakina are the first players to advance to a grand slam women’s final without dropping a set since Serena and Venus Williams in 2008.
Fifth seed Rybakina moved into her first grand slam final in three years by continuing her winning streak against top-10 players with wins against Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula.
Rybakina may have lost to Sabalenka three years ago, but the 2022 Wimbledon winner claimed a statement win over the world No 1 at the WTA Finals at the end of last season.
Sabalenka will be bidding for her fifth grand slam title overall after continuing her excellent consistency with a seventh hard-court grand slam final in a row.
Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina start time and how to watch Australian Open final