Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina Preview, Prediction, and Live Stream Details

Aryna Sabalenka holds a slim 8-6 lead over Elena Rybakina in their head-to-head record on tour.

Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina Preview, Prediction, and Live Stream Details

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina (via X/The Tennis Letter)

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The women’s singles Australian Open final has a familiar feel, as it will be a rematch of the 2023 championship match. With the stakes higher than ever in the season, Aryna Sabalenka will take on Elena Rybakina in the first tennis Grand Slam final at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Sabalenka and Rybakina are yet to drop a set en route to the final. Sabalenka returns to the final for the fourth consecutive year running and will hope to win the championship for the third time in her career, which will see her tie with tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis, who have won it three times in their careers.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina: Match Details

  • Venue: Rod Laver Arena
  • Time: TBD
  • Round: Final
  • Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
  • Date: January 31, 2026
  • Tournament: Australian Open 2026
  • Match: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina: Match Preview

Aryna Sabalenka holds an incredible 11-0 win-loss record this season, and she’s yet to drop a set in 2026. The World No.1 claimed her first title of the season at the Brisbane International after beating Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk. She arrived in Melbourne with the intention of winning her fifth Grand Slam on tour. The 27-year-old kicked off her campaign with a straightforward win against French qualifier Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah and Chinese Zhuoxuan Bai.

In the third round, she overcame Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7). Despite a tough test against Victoria Mboko, Sabalenka overcame the teenage star 6-1, 7-6(1) and then breezed past Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, she ended Elina Svitolina’s hopes of reaching her maiden Grand Slam final on tour. She defeated the Ukrainian star 6-2, 6-3 in Melbourne.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/HQ Pics)

On the other hand, Elena Rybakina has continued to build on the momentum she gained at the end of last season. The 2022 Wimbledon champion went on an 11-match winning streak on tour, claiming the Ningbo Open and the WTA Finals during that period. At the Australian Open, she’s yet to drop a set. She beat Kaja Juvan, Varvara Gracheva, and Tereza Valentova in straight sets en route to the fourth round.

In the round of 16, she faced Belgium’s Elise Mertens and dropped only four games in their clash, winning 6-1, 6-3. The 26-year-old then took on World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and produced an incredible 7-5, 6-1 win to end the Polish star’s hopes of completing a Career Grand Slam. In the semi-finals, she held her nerves in the second set, triumphing 6-3, 7-6(7) against Jessica Pegula.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina: Match Prediction

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are set to meet for the 15th time on tour. The two have a rivalry that goes back to August 2019. However, it is Sabalenka who holds a slight edge in an 8-6 head-to-head record against Rybakina. The last time they met, Rybakina defeated the World No.1 and went on to claim the WTA Finals.

Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Rybakina is seeking to win her first Grand Slam since winning the Wimbledon Championship in 2022. The Kazakhstan star was one of the most praised players of her generation, but failed to live up to expectations in 2024 and 2025. But at the Australian Open, she has an opportunity to prove to the tennis world that she’s back at competing against the top players.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka met Rybakina three years ago in her first Grand Slam singles final. She pulled a glorious comeback, beating the World No.5 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to win her maiden Australian Open. Sabalenka has a chance of repeating history against Rybakina, but it will be a tough match in the end.

Match prediction: Elena Rybakina to win in three sets.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina: Live Stream Details

  • India – SONY
  • USA – ESPN, Tennis Channel
  • UK – TNT Sports
  • Canada – TSN, RDS
  • Australia – Nine, Stan. Sports
  • New Zealand– SKY
  • Africa – beIN Sports, SuperSport

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