Rybakina refuses to be awed by Sabalenka as the Australian Open final looms in Melbourne.
Aiming to shed the one-slam wonder label, Elena Rybakina has powered through the draw and now faces world number one Aryna Sabalenka for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup and major silverware on Rod Laver Arena.
Rybakina’s Revenge Mission
“Fight till the end, and hopefully this time it’s going to go my way.”
Elena Rybakina
Rybakina arrives at the final with recent form and a clear mindset, having described her aim to fight through the match and learn from past close losses, including the 2023 Australian Open final where Sabalenka rallied to win.
The powerful Russian-born Kazakh broke through at Wimbledon in 2022 and has now reached her third grand slam decider, a run that underlines her place among the game’s elite at only 26 years old.
Her run in Melbourne has been clinical: Rybakina has not dropped a set in six matches, a stat that feeds into the confidence she took from lifting the WTA Finals trophy late last year.
Numbers, Records And Rematches
The head-to-head between these two is tight, with Sabalenka holding an overall lead of 8-6, though Rybakina beat her most recently at the WTA Finals in November, showing the matchup remains very much alive and contestable.
On the line is more than pride: the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup and a reported purse that includes a cheque worth $4.1 million, a tangible reminder of the stakes when the pair walk onto Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.
Sabalenka is no stranger to big nights in Melbourne, having contested the past three finals at the Australian Open and arriving in this decider unbeaten in her six matches through the draw.
Her recent history here includes dramatic swings: after winning in 2023, Sabalenka was stunned by Madison Keys in last year’s final while carrying the burden of being a two-time defending champion.
Tactics, Temperament And What To Watch
Expect a clash of power and serve: Sabalenka’s heavy-hitting baseline game and robust serve contrast with Rybakina’s penetrating serve and flatter groundstrokes, making serve returns and clutch games likely to decide pivotal points.
Rybakina herself reflected on the 2023 final, noting that Sabalenka served much better that day and deserved the victory, and she has publicly underlined the importance of bringing experience and resilience to this rematch.
Both players arrive with momentum and pressure in equal measure, but Rybakina’s recent clean slate through the tournament and the WTA Finals success give her a psychological edge heading into Saturday’s showdown.
For Sabalenka, the target is clear: claim a third Australian Open crown in four years and add another major to a career that already includes multiple Grand Slam titles, further cementing her status as the world number one.
From the fan perspective the match has everything: a fresh rivalry storyline, big slam history, and the very real financial and legacy rewards which make finals into career-defining moments for both competitors.
Live coverage is scheduled to start at 7.30pm AEDT on Saturday, with television broadcast available on Channel Nine, giving global audiences a chance to watch how this personal and professional rematch unfolds under the Melbourne lights.
Whatever the outcome, this final will be another chapter in a rivalry that has already produced dramatic swings and a reminder that in women’s tennis the margin between a one-slam tag and sustained greatness can be razor thin.
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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.
