Overview
- Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in Melbourne, closing with her sixth ace.
- Rybakina trailed 0-3 in the final set before winning five straight games to seize control.
- The matchup reprised their 2023 Australian Open final, won by Sabalenka, after both reached this year’s title match without dropping a set.
- Sabalenka, the pre-tournament favorite and world No.1, recorded a second consecutive Australian Open final defeat and a fourth runner-up finish at a major.
- In the semifinals, Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3, while Rybakina edged Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).