Melbourne witnessed two commanding performances on Thursday as Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina powered through their respective semifinal matches to arrange a highly anticipated championship showdown at the Australian Open.
World number one Sabalenka demonstrated why she reigns supreme at Melbourne Park, securing her fourth consecutive final appearance with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory over Ukrainian challenger Elina Svitolina. The Belarusian powerhouse delivered a masterclass in aggressive baseline tennis, overwhelming her opponent with relentless power and precision.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina battled through a tense encounter against American Jessica Pegula, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 7-6(7) in a hard-fought contest that showcased her resilience under pressure. The Russian-born Kazakh player’s victory sets up a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 final against her familiar rival Sabalenka.
The semifinal between Sabalenka and Svitolina carried additional significance beyond tennis, occurring against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, for which Belarus has served as a staging ground. Since 2022, players from Russia and Belarus have competed as neutral athletes in Grand Slam events.
Sabalenka’s achievement places her among tennis legends, becoming only the third woman in the professional era to reach four consecutive Australian Open finals, joining Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis in this exclusive club. The top seed now seeks her third Australian Open title in four years and her fifth Grand Slam trophy overall.
Rybakina’s path to the final proved more challenging as she faced determined resistance from Pegula, who saved three match points before succumbing in a tiebreak. The victory continues Rybakina’s impressive form after she concluded her 2025 season by defeating Sabalenka to claim the WTA Finals trophy.
The stage is now set for what promises to be an electrifying championship match between two of women’s tennis most formidable competitors, both seeking to add another major title to their growing legacies.