Rybakina exorcises 2023 demons to reign supreme

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MATCH RECAP

It's taken three years and three days, but Elena Rybakina has gotten her revenge in three sets against Aryna Sabalenka to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy in 2026.

The No. 5-seeded Kazakh defeated the world No. 1 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night to claim her second-ever Grand Slam victory, joining Li Na and Naomi Osaka as multiple-time major champions from Asia.

This win in particular continues an impressive run that the 26-year-old has against some of the best players in the world, with this being Rybakina's ninth win against a World No. 1 (out of 15 matches).

But she certainly had to do it the long way.

Things started off hot for Rybakina, who broke Sabalenka in the first game of the match, which ultimately was the difference between the two in the opener.

But the world No. 1 struck back in the second set as she did in 2023.

Sabalenka readily improved her service game, which included winning 18 of her 19 first serve points to send the match into a deciding set.

Momentum appeared to be on the Belarusian's side with a break in the second game, with two backhanded winners that Rybakina could only watch from afar.

This saw her lead 3-love and came within one point of a second break point opportunity.

But the No. 5 seed proceeded to turn the match on its head, having won the next six of seven games to win her second Grand Slam title.

Speaking after the match and her second AO final loss in a row, the world No. 1 admitted that she probably should have been more aggressive with her position.

But Sabalenka would give full credit to her opponent, who played some 'incredible tennis'.

"I think it (the match) was really aggressive tennis overall," she explained in her press conference.

"And I feel like in that moment (3-love in the third set) she kind of had nothing to lose.

"So she stepped in and played incredible points. She was serving, so it was just one break.

"I don't know if I have any regrets.

"Maybe I should have tried to be more aggressive on my serve, knowing that I have a break and put pressure on her, but she played incredible (tennis)."

See all of the big moments from the match down below from our live blog.

10:19pm Sabalenka left 'speechless' after final loss

Aryna Sabalenka has spoken during the post-match ceremony having congratulated Elena Rybakina on her tournament win.

Sabalenka: "Honestly, guys, I'm speechless right now."

"I'll try not to forget anything. I want to start with you, Elena."

"I want to congratulate you on the incredible run and incredible tennis, so congrats to you and your team on such an incredible achievement."

10:05pm Rybakina completes the comeback

And the Kazakh can now call herself a multiple major winner.

She gets her revenge for the 2023 AO final loss against the same opponent with a three-set win (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) in the space of two hours and 18 minutes to win her second ever Grand Slam event.

Two forehand winners, an unreturned serve and an ace get the job done for the No. 5 seed.

She has made one of the best comebacks you'll see, having come from 3-love down to win six of the next seven games.

But you would hardly know it as she looks calm and composed as ever.

For Aryna Sabalenka, she has chucked the towel over her face for a brief period of time.

She looks visibly disappointed on the player's bench as she reconciles with her second straight AO Final loss.

Brutal stuff for the world No. 1.

9:58pm Rybakina to serve for her second career major

Elena Rybakina now has the championship on her racquet.

Aryna Sabalenka breezes through her service game after being broken in her last two to get it back to 5-4.

But the world No.1 will need to play some of her best tennis to keep the match alive.

9:54pm Rybakina closing in

The Kazakh is now in the LEAD!

Elena Rybakina has broken Sabalenka for the second straight service game to be ahead 4-3.

Sabalenka, hitting three of her nine unforced errors for the set in that seventh game, has certainly played a part in it.

And the pressure is starting to show on the Belarusian as she is now down 5-3, having thrown her racquet.

9:47pm From love-3 to 3-3: Rybakina is fighting her way back

Sabalenka was within centimetres of getting the break with her backhand shot, just missing the tramline on the way through.

But with the game going to deuce, Rybakina goes on the attack and creates several forced errors to tie the set at 3-3.

And to think Sabalenka was leading this set 3-love at one stage.

What a comeback from the No. 5 seed.

9:41pm Rybakina strikes back

And she does get the all important break.

Elena Rybakina is just a hold of serve away from tying the match.

Having put the Belarusian under pressure from the get-go in the fifth game, she got to 15-40 and makes it count.

9:37pm Rybakina trying to keep up

Elena Rybakina is finally on the board in the third set to go 3-1 in the third.

But she'll need to get up to speed fast if she is to stay within touching distance of Sabalenka.

9:35pm Sabalenka keeps the momentum rolling

Everything is coming up Aryna Sabalenka in this third set.

Rybakina has gotten to her first break point of the set, with the world No. 1 hitting some unforced forehand errors.

But she finds a way once more.

A forehand winner and a slight roar get her to deuce.

And she repeats the formula to win the game and go 3-love.

9:28pm The Belarusian gets a break

Sabalenka is starting to believe that the match is hers.

A cross-court backhand gave her a break point, and a backhand down the line gave her the 2-love lead she might need to win it all.

What a crucial moment that could be for the Belarusian.

9:23pm Strong hold to begin

It's a strong start to begin the third set by the world No. 1.

Sabalenka forces some errors on both the forehand and backhand of Rybakina to hold with ease.

She looks far more relaxed than she did during the first set, and it's showing in her performance.

9:19pm The third set is underway

Rybakina has come back from her change of attire break with the third and final set.

The AO's win predictor still has her as the favourite with a 57/43 splt.

Time will tell if that is correct.

9:11pm We're off to a decider

Following an easy hold of serve by Rybakina to make it 4-4, Sabalenka does the same to now be within one game of sending this match to a deciding third set.

Rybakina might have more aces in the second, but Sabalenka's first serve has been much improved.

She has won 18 of her 19 first serves so far compared to Rybakina's 17 of 23.

And the world No. 1 has used that momentum to great effect as he nails Rybakina to break her serve and send this match to a third and deciding set.

She gets it done 6-4.

9:03pm Sabalenka holds steady

A bit of a hairy moment for Aryna Sabalenka.

A couple of volleys and fast reflexes at the net saw Sabalenka get to two game points.

But some issues with her serve, which include a double fault at 40-15, send the game to deuce.

However, the world No.1 forces Rybakina wide on the next two serves; the No. 5 seed hits them well outside and sees Sabalenka hold.

Sabalenka leads 4-3 in the second set.

8:48pm Rybakina's serve holding her well here

Rybakina is continuing to target Sabalenka's backhand on her serve, and it keeps paying off for the Kazakh.

She wins the game with ease to equal the score 2-2 in the second set.

In fact, the only point Sabalenka won in that one was off a double fault.

8:42pm Rybakina withstands Aryna's pressure

Having played a bit of hot potato with game point during the second game, it's Rybakina who wins it thanks to an error of Sabalenka's backhand.

Sabalenka had three break-point chances in that game which could have seen her go 2-love in front.

But she wasn't able to convert them with Rybakina defending as if her life depended on it, and she withstood the pressure.

8:29pm Sabalenka off to a better start

A better start for Aryna Sabalenka in the second set.

She holds her first game of service in the set and finishes off that game with her fifth ace of the match.

The serving game has been good from the Belarusian, having landed more serves in and just edging Rybakina on first serve points won.

8:26pm Rybakina halfway to the title

Sabalenka hits it long on her backhand, and Elena Rybakina has claimed the first set 6-4.

Having come in as the underdog, she took advantage right from the get-go with that first game break and is now in the box seat to win her second ever major.

But she did the same thing in the 2023 AO Final with Sabalenka coming back to win it in three sets.

Will the Kazakh be able to avenge her previous self, or does Sabalenka find another gear?

8:19pm Rybakina recovers

There was the break point chance Aryna Sabalenka had been looking for.

But her backhand has let her down with Rybakina pushing her serve just wide enough to cause the world No. 1 some trouble.

She looked up to the closed roof, looking frustrated and not being able to get it over the net.

Sabalenka responds with a strong hold of serve sending the set to a score of 5-4.

But the world No.1 will need to produce a break to here to avoid losing the first set.

8:09pm Sabalenka has been surprised by Rybakina's returning game

SEN Tennis' Beti Sekulovski has given her assessment of the first five games of this match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

Sekulovski: "So far, it's been the returning (game) from Rybakina, hasn't it?"

"That almost surprised Sabalenka. There's been a little bit of that, just slight anxiety in the Sabalenka game, I feel.

"But she is starting to settle in."

And the stats certainly back Beti up here with three return winners from the Kazakstani in the set so far, showing her ability to use Sabalenka's serve and send it back.

Rybakina still remains a break ahead with the scores 4-3.

8:03pm Deja vu for Sabalenka

And like her first game, Aryna Sabalenka closes it out with an ace.

It was a quick hold of service with Elena Rybakina hitting three straight unforced backhand errors, which set it up for the world No. 1 before she slammed it home.

We are at 3-2 in Rybakina's favour.

7:56pm Sabalenka settles in

And Sabalenka composes herself for her first game.

After a loss of serve in her first game, she doesn't make the same mistake twice.

After getting to 40-30, she hits a lovely ace down the T to beat Elena Rybakina to go 2-1.

7:51pm Rybakina off to a flyer

That's an absolute dream start by Elena Rybakina in her third-ever major final.

She has broken the serve of Aryna Sabalenka in the first game of the match.

The Belarusian started her service well, winning the first two points.

But a strong forehand return from Rybakina changed the momentum as she won a flurry of points to get the first break of the match.

She holds serve with ease to give herself a 2-love lead.

7:44pm Play has begun

The warm-ups are over and Aryna Sabalenka has begun the match by serving.

7:35pm Welcome to the live blog

A big warm welcome to wherever you may find us for this Australian Open women's singles final.

The crowds are slowly coming in here at Rod Laver Arena for what's been an overcast day at Melbourne Park to see two absolute stars battle it out.

For world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, she will be wanting to avenge last year's final loss to Madison Keys and claim her third Australian Open title.

And for world No. 5 Elena Rybakina, she's been waiting three years after losing to Sabalenka here in 2023 after winning the first set.

If the Kazakstani can win tonight, it would be the second major of her career.

With so much on the line, it should produce an incredible match.