The deciding set between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina begins. The Rod Laver Arena looks on in anticipation. Sabalenka and Rybakina have been here before. In 2023, Sabalenka won the AO final over Rybakina. Can the Kazakh get her revenge this time?

Sabalenka roars back! Incredible from the World No. 1. She breaks Rybakina for the first time today, and in style. Rybakina does not get a single point on her own serve, and Sabalenka breaks to clinch the second set 6-4. We are going to the deciding set!

Sabalenka holds serve, and it's 5-4 now in the second set of the final. The pressure will firmly be on Rybakina now. Hold serve, and the set goes on. But if Sabalenka breaks here, she will clinch the second set.

A strong service game from Elena Rybakina to make it 4-4 in the second set. After a couple of close games on her serve, that will come as a big confidence boost. This game is inching towards a tie-break.

Sabalenka allows Rybakina back into the game on her own serve. She was up 40-15 in the seventh game, but a double fault and then a superb return by Rybakina brings it to deuce. 

But Sabalenka responds in style! An ace to take advantage, and then another strong serve to close out the game. 4-3.

Sabalenka and Rybakina are serving up an excellent contest here. They have each held serve so far in the second set, but neither are giving the other an inch. Sabalenka will still be desperate for her first break of the match.

Both players have held serve so far in the second set. Thanks to the second game, this set has already gone on for some time. Looks like this set might go down to the wire. Remember, it's a must-win set for Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka closes out her serve with relative ease once again. A couple of excellent returns from both players in the battle for the last point, but Sabalenka wins it in the end. The Belarusian is certainly in good momentum now. She is closing out her serves well, and threatening a break.

Rybakina wins the game at last! A terrific game, that one. Sabalenka failed to convert three break points, while Rybakina was prevented twice, before the Kazakh was finally able to make it stick and clinch the game. 1-1 in the second set.

Incredible tennis! Three times in a row, Aryna Sabalenka takes advantage and but on all three occasions, Rybakina is able to prevent the break. Some superb returns from the Kazakh when it matters. Sabalenka looks visibly frustrated at being unable to convert the break points.

Sabalenka has made a strong start to the second set. She went into a lead on Rybakina's serve, and then smashed a terrific backhand to level it to deuce after Rybakina had gone back ahead. Can Sabalenka be the one to get the crucial early break in this set?

Sabalenka is off to a much better start in the second set. She holds serve in her opening game this time around, and that would do good to alleviate the pressure off her. Rybakina to serve now. Remember, if Rybakina wins this set, she wins the title!

First set to Elena Rybakina! She holds serve despite Sabalenka making it tricky at the start of the game, and wins the first set 6-4. However, Sabalenka has been here before. She lost the first set to Rybakina in the 2023 AO final as well, before bouncing back and winning.

Aryna Sabalenka keeps her hopes alive in the first set, as she takes the ninth game to reduce the gap to 5-4. The set comes down to the next game now. Sabalenka must break Rybakina, otherwise the latter will win the first set.

Superb comeback from Rybakina! For the first time today, Sabalenka gets close to a break as she takes a 15-40 lead on Rybakina's serve. But the Kazakh fires three aces in a row to pull it to deuce and gain advantage, and then closes out the game. 5-3! If she breaks next, she takes the first set.

Aryna Sabalenka is still hunting for that crucial break but she is gaining momentum on her own serve. She holds once again to make it 4-3. Rybakina has been firm so far in her own serve.

Rybakina holds serve to make it 3-1, but then crucially for Sabalenka, she seals a comfortable game win for the first time today to make it 3-2. Does not let Rybakina get a point. That game should give Sabalenka a lot of confidence, and help her settle into a rhythm.

First game in the bag for Sabalenka. The Belarusian once again is made to fight hard by Rybakina, but she manages to win her first game of the match by holding serve. Rybakina has come out of the blocks really strongly today.

Rybakina holds her opening serve! In fact, she does not let Sabalenka get even a single point and wraps up the game without much discomfort. This is a statement start by the Kazakh, who is eyeing her second Grand Slam title today.

What a start! It's a BREAK by Elena Rybakina, and she's sent a strong message to the World No. 1 at the start of the contest. Sabalenka under pressure now. Can Rybakina now continue the momentum and hold serve?

We are LIVE! Sabalenka starts off strongly with by winning the first two points of the first game, but Rybakina fights back to make it 30-40. Sabalenka then forces deuce, but Rybakina gets advantage! Can Rybakina break the World No. 1 right off the bat?

The players are now walking onto the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarusia and World No. 5 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan are about to face off for the Australian Open 2026 women's singles crown!

Sabalenka has won the toss, and she will serve first!

While Aryna Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 8-6, Elena Rybakina won the last time they met, in the decider at the WTA Finals in November in Saudi Arabia, in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka goes into the final in scintillating form, having won all of her 11 matches in 2026 without dropping a set. She lifted the Brisbane title before coming to Melbourne and is also the reigning US Open champion, underlining her prowess on hard courts.

Aryna Sabalenka won it again in 2024, but was denied a hat-trick last year when she was stunned in the final by the American Madison Keys. The meeting with the big-serving Kazakh Rybakina will be her fourth Melbourne final in a row, and she is expecting an almighty tussle.

The showdown pits two players who are on rampaging form and yet to drop a set in Melbourne in the past fortnight. They know each other very well, having met 14 times previously, and it is a rematch of the 2023 title decider at Rod Laver Arena. The powerful Belarusian Sabalenka prevailed on that occasion, fighting back from a set down to win her first Grand Slam crown.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on World No. 5 Elena Rybakina in a highly-anticipated Australian Open 2026 women's singles final. Belarusian Sabalenka is eyeing her third Australian Open crown, while Rybakina is aiming for her second Grand Slam title. 

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Australian Open 2026, Women's Singles Final match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, straight from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Stay tuned for all the live updates.