Sabalenka vs. Rybakina: A historic final at the 2026 Australian Open.
For the first time in 18 years, the women's singles Grand Slam final will see a showdown between two players who haven't lost a single set since the start of the tournament.
On January 29, 2026, the Australian Open determined the final two players for the women's singles final: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. This is considered a historic match as both players have shown devastating form and have not dropped a single set on their way to the final.
Sabalenka and her absolute dominance in Melbourne
World number one Aryna Sabalenka continued to assert her dominance at Melbourne Park after a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Elina Svitolina. This result marks the Belarusian star's fourth consecutive appearance in the Australian Open final, equaling the record of legends like Evonne Goolagong and Martina Hingis in the Open Era.
Notably, Sabalenka also set a number of impressive professional milestones. She became the third player in history to reach seven consecutive Grand Slam finals on hard courts, equaling Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis. Furthermore, reaching the final without losing a set for three consecutive years in Australia is clear evidence of this player's incredible strength.
Elena Rybakina's Perfect Journey
In the other bracket, Elena Rybakina also showed equally impressive form by defeating Jessica Pegula with a score of 6-3, 7-6(7). The Kazakhstani player maintained a streak of 22 consecutive wins whenever she won the first set, a statistic that shows strong mental fortitude at crucial moments.
By reaching her third Grand Slam final, Rybakina became the fourth active player to win both of her first two semi-final matches at the Australian Open, joining a prestigious group including Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka, and Victoria Azarenka.
A classic rematch for the championship title.
The 2026 Australian Open final, scheduled for 3:30 PM on January 31st, is not only a battle for the title but also holds historical significance. This marks the first time since Wimbledon 2008 (the Williams sisters' clash) that a Grand Slam final will feature two players who have both kept clean sheets (not lost a single set).
Furthermore, Sabalenka and Rybakina are also recreating the scenario of 1999-2000 (Hingis and Davenport) as they face each other in both the WTA Finals final and the following Australian Open final. For Rybakina, this is also an opportunity for revenge after her defeat to Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final.
Tennis fans worldwide are focusing their attention on Melbourne Park to see who will be the sole player to maintain a perfect set winning streak and lift the prestigious championship trophy.
