Elena Rybakina has clinched her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final that ended 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The victory was particularly sweet for the 26-year-old, as it avenged her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final.

Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan but born in Moscow, revealed the intense emotions she battled during the match. Despite maintaining a composed exterior, she admitted to a racing heart and inner turmoil. Rybakina stated that she knew her serve would be key to winning. After losing the second set and falling behind 3-0 in the third, she demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning five consecutive games to regain control and ultimately secure the championship with an ace.

This win marks Rybakina's second major title, adding to her Wimbledon victory in 2022. It’s a significant comeback for Rybakina, whose performance had dipped after her Wimbledon win, while Sabalenka went on to win three more majors, including back-to-back Australian Open titles and the 2024 and 2025 US Open. Rybakina had been the only major winner when she and Sabalenka met in the Australian Open final four years ago.

Rybakina credited a win against Sabalenka at the WTA Finals in November 2025 as a turning point in her career trajectory. Since Wimbledon, she has had the most match wins on tour, with a remarkable 20 wins in her last 21 matches. "I always believed that I can come back to the level I was,” Rybakina said. "We all have ups and downs...Like everyone, I thought maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work". She also acknowledged the crucial role of her team in her success, particularly during moments of self-doubt.

Sabalenka, while disappointed, humorously addressed her defeat in the post-match press conference. She acknowledged Rybakina's aggressive play and admitted to missed opportunities. Despite the loss, Sabalenka maintained a positive outlook, stating that she played great tennis throughout the tournament.

The match statistics reveal a close contest, with Rybakina securing 6 aces to Sabalenka's 5, and both players demonstrating strong first serve percentages. Rybakina managed to save 50% of break points faced, while converting 25% of her break points.

Rybakina's victory is a testament to her perseverance and unwavering belief in her abilities. After the match she said, "It gives me a kind of relief, also, a lot of confidence for sure for the rest of the season".