Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina final prediction, betting tips & odds, head-to-head, preview: Australian Open 2026
Aryna Sabalenka and Rybakina meet for a second time in an Australian Open final.
An incredible title clash awaits at the 2026 Australian Open, as two of the hardest hitters on tour meet with their hopes of clinching the glorious Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Both have not dropped a single so far in Melbourne, highlighting their dominance.
Elena Rybakina, possibly the quietest on tour, has shown little mercy on her opponents. Since October, she has been on fire, winning late titles like the Ningbo Open and sealing qualifications for the WTA Riyadh Finals, which she won without dropping a set.
The Kazakh suffered a loss in Brisbane to Karolina Muchova, but has looked dominant in Melbourne. Her fourth Grand Slam semi-final saw her beat Jessica Pegula, after a tense second set ending. The Kazakh looked to be in control for most of the contest, but made some costly errors while serving for the match.
Sixth seed Pegula provided valiant resistance in the end, to save match points and force a tie-breaker. The American was on the cusp of forcing a decider set, but Rybakina finally nailed a backhand winner to seal the battle.
For the fifteenth time on tour, Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka. The World No. 1 has hardly been put under pressure, and has decimated each of her rivals, including the resurgent Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3. The Belarusian seems to be on top of her game, and when firing all cylinders, she is nearly unbeatable.
After falling agonisingly short last year, the 27-year-old will be looking to clinch her third title in Melbourne this time around.
Also Read: Which player has the best odds to win Australian Open 2026?
Match details
- Tournament: Australian Open 2026
- Round: Final
- Date: January 31
- Venue: Melbourne, Australia
- Surface: Hard​ Court
​Preview
Sabalenka and Rybakina have contrasting personalities, but their campaigns have been flawless at the 2026 Australian Open. They are the first pair to reach the finals of a Grand Slam major without losing a set, since the William sisters in Wimbledon 2008.
A lot is at stake for both players. Sabalenka won just one Grand Slam in 2025, despite being the best on tour by some distance. She fell short here against Madison Keys in the final, and consecutive defeats in championship matches at the Australian Open will be very tough to digest for the top seed.
For Rybakina, she has been a far too talented player to still have just one title to show: Wimbledon 2022. Having finally found some consistency and excellent fitness, this is the time for her to get back to winning Slams.
Moreover, this will be a chance to avenge her 2023 defeat. A thrilling three-setter went the way of Sabalenka, who came back from a set down to lift her first Grand Slam trophy. Since that win though, Rybakina has had the upper-hand in this rivalry, leading by 6-4.
These two met in the finals of the Riyadh WTA Finals, where the Kazakh destroyed Sabalenka in straight sets. If there is a player who knows how to defeat Sabalenka even at her best, then it is Rybakina.
An interesting pattern has followed their exchanges in the recent few clashes since 2023 Beijing Open, with Rybakina and Sabalenka alternately winning matches.
Form
- Aryna Sabalenka: W-W-W-W-W
- Elena Rybakina: W-W-W-W-W
Head-to-head record
- Matches: 14
- Aryna Sabalenka: 8
- Elena Rybakina: 6
Full head-to-head details here
Stats
Aryna Sabalenka
- Sabalenka has a 11-0 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Sabalenka has a 34-6 win-loss record at the Australian Open
- Sabalenka has won 74% of matches played on hard courts
Elena Rybakina
- Rybakina has a 8-1 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Rybakina has a 20-6 win-loss record at the Australian Open
- Rybakina has won 68% of matches played on hard courts
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: Betting tips and odds
- Moneyline: Sabalenka -160, Rybakina +140
- Spread: Sabalenka -2.5 (-103), Rybakina +2.5 (-115)
- Total Games: Over 22.5 (-105), Under 22.5 (-105)
- 1st Set Winner: Sabalenka -150, Rybakina +130
Match prediction
Trend over last nine matches: Rybakina win, Sabalenka win, Rybakina win, Sabalenka win, Rybakina win, Sabalenka win, Rybakina win, Sabalenka win, Rybakina win, Australian Open 2026 final.
Can Sabalenka continue this trend or will Rybakina end this stunning pattern? We shall find out on Saturday.
Both players are deserving finalists, but Sabalenka enters as the favourite. However, it is interesting to note that she has competed against opponents with far less power, and depth. While Svitolina was experienced, she was unable to trouble the Belarusian with either serve or return.
For Sabalenka, fortunately this has been a far more generous draw than it seemed earlier to the event. Hence, the sudden rise in the level of her opponent for the final could force her to make some adjustments. Rybakina has already beaten two top-10 players in Pegula and Iga Swiatek.
However, in both these wins her first-serve percentage has been low. To overcome Sabalenka, the Kazakh needs to have a first-serve of around 70%, which will significantly improve her chances. The fact that Rybakina has been menace without her serves, is a dangerous sign for Sabalenka ahead of the summit-clash.
Boasting the count for most aces, Rybakina’s serve will be the differentiator. Sabalenka meanwhile must execute a lot more drop shots and vary her pace, a skill she has mastered during the off-season.
Her composure and calmness under pressure, and unforced errors will be worth watching out for, when she is under pressure.
Rybakina has taken her time to get into the contest, but Sabalenka needs no second invitation. One last epic contest might play out, with Sabalenka starting well and clinching the opening set, but Rybakina to then find her serves and aces as the match goes on, and lift her maiden Australian Open trophy.
Result: Elena Rybakina to win in three sets.​
Where and how to watch live telecast and live streaming of Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina, women’s singles final match at Australian Open 2026?
The championship match will be broadcast on the Sony Network for Indian viewers. Residents of the United States can tune in to the Tennis Channel and ESPN. Fans in the United Kingdom can stream the match on Eurosport.
For worldwide broadcast details click here.
Where and when will Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina women’s singles final match take place?
The title clash in women’s singles will be held at the Rod Laver Arena on January 31 (Saturday). The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm local time and 2:00 pm Indian time.
What is the head-to-head record between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina?
They have met 14 times on tour previously and Sabalenka leads the contest with eight victories while Rybakina has won six times.
Have Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina met at Australian Open previously?
Yes, they previously clashed in the 2023 final where Sabalenka came back from a set down to defeat Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
What happened in the most recent meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina?
Their most recent meeting was at the WTA Finals, where they once again clashed in the title round. Rybakina stunned the World No. 1 in straight sets — 6-3, 7-6(0).
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.