Familiar Foes Sabalenka, Rybakina Set For Intense Clash In Australian Open Final

World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to face Elena Rybakina in what promises to be an intense women’s Australian Open final on Saturday.

Both players have been in top form, not dropping a set in Melbourne

over the past two weeks.

They are familiar foes, having met 14 times before, including the 2023 final at Rod Laver Arena.

On that occasion, the powerful Belarusian Sabalenka came from a set down to claim her first Grand Slam title.

Sabalenka repeated the feat in 2024, but her quest for a third consecutive title was halted last year when she was defeated by American Madison Keys in the final.

This will be Sabalenka’s fourth consecutive Melbourne final, and she anticipates a fierce battle against the big-serving Kazakh Rybakina.

“Her shots are heavy, deep, flat balls. It’s not easy to work with, but we have a great history,” said the 27-year-old Sabalenka, who beat Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals.

“She’s an incredible player,” Sabalenka added, referring to Moscow-born Rybakina, whose only major title to date is Wimbledon in 2022.

“We’ve had many great battles and played in many finals.

“I’m looking forward to challenging this power,” Sabalenka added with a smile.

Entering the final, Sabalenka is in exceptional form, having won all 11 of her matches in 2026 without losing a set.

She claimed the Brisbane title before coming to Melbourne and is also the reigning US Open champion, highlighting her dominance on hard courts.

Sabalenka is the favourite, but recent history favours the 26-year-old Rybakina.

While Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 8-6, Rybakina won their most recent encounter, the final at the WTA Finals in November in Saudi Arabia, in straight sets.

Rybakina has performed impressively in Melbourne, defeating world number two Iga Swiatek and world number six Jessica Pegula.

Pegula described facing the Kazakh, calling her “cool as a cucumber.”

“She’s always tough. You know, she’s so chill. She doesn’t really give you anything,” said Pegula after her 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) semi-final defeat.

Rybakina’s serve, the biggest in women’s tennis, has been a significant weapon. She has delivered 41 aces in the tournament, more than any other player in the women’s draw.

Reflecting on their 2023 Australian final, Rybakina noted that both she and Sabalenka have improved and evolved as players since then.

However, their power remains unchanged.

“Since we are both very aggressive players, the serve is important,” Rybakina said.

She added, “Hopefully the serve will help me on Saturday, but even if it doesn’t, I’ll still try to find my way.

“I’ll fight till the end, and hopefully this time it will go my way.”

(With AFP Inputs)