World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the women’s singles final of the Australian Open 2026 on Saturday.
Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion in 2023 and 2024 and a four-time Grand Slam title winner, enters the final following her run at the tournament. She has previously acknowledged lessons from defeats in finals across various competitions in 2025.
In the semifinals, Sabalenka maintained composure during a chair umpire dispute against Elina Svitolina.
Rybakina, a Wimbledon 2022 champion, will contest her second Australian Open final after facing Sabalenka in the 2023 final, where she won the first set before losing the match. Born in Moscow and representing Kazakhstan, Rybakina advanced to the final after defeating Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.
Both players reached the final without dropping a set. It is the first time since 2008 that two players have reached a Grand Slam final without losing a set en route.
Sabalenka has won four Grand Slam titles, while Rybakina has won one. The two previously met in the 2023 Australian Open final, which was won by Sabalenka.
