In a final that will go down as an all-time classic, Elena Rybakina produced a miraculous second-half recovery to defeat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The victory secures Rybakina’s second Grand Slam title and marks a historic moment of redemption after her heartbreak in the 2023 final.
Down a break and trailing 3-0 in the deciding set, Rybakina looked to be fading against the Belarusian's relentless power. However, a tactical reset and a flurry of forehand winners saw the Kazakhstani rattle off five straight games to flip the script and silence the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
The match was a rollercoaster of momentum. After taking a clinical first set, Rybakina struggled in the second as Sabalenka’s "surf-inspired" aggression took over. When the top seed surged to a 3-0 lead in the third, the outcome seemed inevitable.
At 0-3 down, Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov was heard shouting, "You need energy! Put more energy!"
Rybakina responded by winning three consecutive games to level at 3-3, capitalizing on a double-fault and a nervy netted forehand from Sabalenka.
Leading 5-4, Rybakina served for the championship. Despite a brief 0-15 wobble, she found two massive first serves when it mattered most to seal the title.
The win carries immense weight for Rybakina, who lost the 2023 final to Sabalenka in a similar three-set arm-wrestle. By denying Sabalenka her third Australian Open crown, Rybakina has established herself as the premier ball-striker in the women's game.
