Sabalenka and Rybakina will walk onto Rod Laver Arena with title history, recent revenge and a healthy dose of mutual dislike simmering just under the baseline.
Both women won their semifinals in straight sets to reach the final, Sabalenka dispatching Elina Svitolina and Rybakina denying Jessica Pegula in a match that went to a tense tiebreak finish.
Sabalenka’s Rampage And The Hindrance Call
“It’s an incredible achievement, but the job’s not done yet,”
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka powered past Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 and reached the final without dropping a set to start the WTA season, a clean run she has parlayed into serious momentum heading into the title match.
The semifinal included a rare hindrance call from umpire Louise Azemar Engzell after a grunt was judged to have distracted Svitolina, a decision that Sabalenka challenged and then used to sharpen her focus and aggression on court.
Beyond the controversial moment, Sabalenka was clinical across the match and, notably, became just the third woman in the Open era to reach four consecutive Australian Open singles finals, joining Martina Hingis and Evonne Goolagong in that company.
Rybakina’s Power And The Nervy Finish
Elena Rybakina beat Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (7), but it was anything but straightforward, with the Kazakh needing repeated chances to finally seal victory in a draining finale that pushed both players physically and mentally.
It took her 29 minutes to convert match point after missing the first five opportunities, a stretch that had fans on the edge and showcased Rybakina’s ability to stay composed when everything tightened up on the scoreboard.
Rybakina reflected on that tension after the match, saying, “I’m proud no matter the situation. It got very tight. I stayed there. I was fighting for each point,” reinforcing how much grit underpins her otherwise calm game.
Her style is deceptively simple: efficient serving, economical footwork and an attack that looks effortless until the ball lands beyond your reach. Pegula threatened, saved match points and tested returns, but Rybakina shut down the comeback in the big moments.
Final Flashpoints, Records And What To Watch
The pair have a close head to head, Sabalenka holding a narrow advantage at 8-6, and the narrative adds spice because they traded key wins recently, with Rybakina beating Sabalenka at the WTA Finals last November.
The 2023 Australian Open final between these two was a classic, Sabalenka coming from behind to nose it home 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, which keeps this matchup historically loaded and tactically compelling when they meet on Saturday.
Context matters here too. Observers have called this year’s fortnight processional, noting that from the fourth round onwards there were 14 matches and all but one ended in straight sets, and none of the final four women dropped a set in the whole tournament.
That last stat makes this final feel like the moment the tournament needed, a genuine showdown between two players who lift their level on big stages and who pose very different problems for an opponent on any given day.
Tactically, Sabalenka will try to force quick errors with heavy ball striking and high pace, while Rybakina will lean on serve placement and compact hitting to neutralize power and extend points until Sabalenka makes the mistake.
All of it promises a final that will reward whoever controls the margin for longer. It is a rematch with revenge, records and reputations on the line, and it could decide who imposes their game on the other under the lights.
Either way, the Australian Open will close one of its quieter fortnights with a genuine title fight, two contrasting champions at the peak of their powers and a story line that reminds us why finals still matter in grand slam tennis.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
