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Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: Australian Open 2026 Final Preview

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Zain Mustafa | Last updated Jan 29, 2026 6:40 PM ET

For the second time in four years, the Australian Open women’s final will be contested between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, two of the biggest hitters on tour.

Two of the best hard-court players in the world will once again duel on one of the sport’s biggest stages, with World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka chasing her third Australian Open title and World No.5 Elena Rybakina aiming to win what would be her second Major crown. Here is your complete guide on how to catch this blockbuster clash live.

Path to the Final

Both players enter the final without having dropped a set, making this the first such instance since the 2008 Wimbledon women’s final between the Williams sisters. Sabalenka is on an eleven-match winning streak heading into the final and has not lost a set during this run. While she has reached the final without defeating a top-10 player, her last two performances, against Iva Jovic and Elina Svitolina, have been close to her very best tennis.

Rybakina, on the other hand, has had a considerably tougher path to the final, defeating two top-10 players along the way. In the quarterfinals, she dismantled World No.2 Iga Swiatek in a ruthless display. In the semifinals, she overcame World No.6 Jessica Pegula in straight sets, though the contest was far closer than the scoreline suggested.

Match Time and Where to Watch

The final will take place on 31st January, scheduled for the night session on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday. The match is expected to begin around 7:30 PM local time (3:30 AM EST, 8:30 AM GMT).

As one of the biggest matches of the year, it will be broadcast globally across sports networks, including: