Overview
- Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, rallying from 0–3 down in the decider for her first Melbourne title and dropping only one set all tournament.
- Official rankings show Rybakina up to No. 3 with Sabalenka still No. 1, as Elina Svitolina returns to the Top 10 and 18-year-old Iva Jovic reaches a career-high No. 20.
- OptaAce data credits Rybakina with 47 aces in Melbourne, the clear tournament lead and part of her early-2026 aces lead, with Sabalenka joint-second at 27.
- Post-final reaction has sharpened scrutiny of Sabalenka’s late-match poise, with Pat Cash calling her finish a “capitulation,” Annabel Croft labeling it “immature,” and Jimmy Connors questioning her “killer instinct.”
- Context around Sabalenka’s record has resurfaced as she sits 4–4 in major finals and has lost six of her last ten finals across all levels.