ICYMI: The best in-match moments from Rybakina's Australian Open final win

MELBOURNE, Australia — Elena Rybakina is the 2026 Australian Open champion after edging Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a gripping final on Rod Laver Arena.

The World No. 5 overturned a 3-0 deficit in the deciding set, breaking twice down the stretch to secure her second Grand Slam title and her first in Melbourne. The victory earned Rybakina AUD $4.1 million (USD $2.75 million) in prize money.

Rybakina outlasts Sabalenka in three sets to capture first Australian Open title

In case you missed it, here’s a look back at the key moments from the 2026 Australian Open final:

Capriati unveils championship trophy

Jennifer Capriati, a two-time Australian Open champion in 2001 and 2002, unveiled the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup ahead of the match, and she later presented it to Rybakina during the trophy ceremony. The Australian Open in 2001 was her first Grand Slam title when she defeated then-No. 1 Martina Hingis, become the lowest seed (12) to win the title at that point.

Players take the court with a closed Rod Laver Arena roof

Sabalenka and Rybakina took the champion's walk just ahead of stepping onto the court. The roof at Rod Laver Arena is closed -- Melbourne received off-and-on rain throughout Saturday afternoon. Both the women's and men's doubles finals earlier were played with the roof open. Throughout the tournament, the roof has occasionally been closed because of heat.

Prior to their warm-up, the World No. 1 Sabalenka won the toss and chose to serve.

First set

Rybakina strikes first

In the opening game, Sabalenka quickly displayed that signature power with an ace to go up 30-0, but Rybakina matched the aggression and responded with a forehand winner on the return. Winning three-straight points, she set up a break point and though Sabalenka saved it, Rybakina broke her serve in the deuce. She then held serve, notching another of her famous aces in the second game, for a 2-0 lead.

Dominant on the serve

Following Rybakina's early break and hold, the players traded holds for five consecutive games. Sabalenka held Rybakina scoreless in the fifth game -- capping it with an ace -- to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Rybakina responded the next game by using her serve to stretch Sabalenka out wide and hold, but as the pattern has been since that early break, Sabalenka relied her serve to head into the changeover down 4-3.

Rybakina saves double break point to go up 5-3, then serves for set

Down 15-40, Sabalenka had a prime chance to get the break back and level the set at four games apiece. Of course it was only fitting Rybakina went to her reliable serve and struck an ace to save one. Then, on the next point, Sabalenka's backhand couldn't reach the trajectory of Rybakina's first serve. The Kazakh eventually won four straight points to hold for a 5-3 lead.

She capitalized on the opportunity and closed out the set 6-4 on her serve. Sabalenka took a change of attire break heading into the second and will serve to begin the first game.

Second set

Players continue to trade holds

In an 18-point second game, Rybakina saved three break points to tie the second set an one game apiece. Sabalenka had forced a deuce, even shouting a "Let's Go" to motivate herself after a forehand winner to temporarily have the Ad-40, but Rybakina remained calm and collected. Using her ability to dictate her opponent's court coverage, Rybakina had winners of her own to close the game. 

Aside from that first set Rybakina break, it's been a strong display on the serve, especially in the second set. Sabalenka took a 3-2 lead heading into the changeover. In the first, Sabalenka notched four aces and landed 68% of her first serves.

Point of the match as Sabalenka takes 4-3 lead in second set

With Sabalenka leading 30-15 tied 3-all in the second set, the players initially traded shots on the baseline back and forth, before Rybakina forced Sabalenka to come to the net. Outstretched, Sabalenka dug to save the ball, forcing Rybakina to do the same.

It created a rapid exchange at the net, which Sabalenka won, much to the delight of the Rod Laver Arena crowd. Sabalenka then won the game heading into the changeover. See for yourself here:

Sabalenka's massive moment forces third set

That coveted break finally came, and it came at the right same. After a couple winners and an error by Rybakina, Sabalenka had three set points to break Rybakina's serve and win the second set. She only needed one, however, as the World No. 1 found a way against a resilient Rybakina to break that potent serve -- it was her first in six break point opportunities.

Third set

World No. 1 gets second-straight break

Seeking her fifth Grand Slam title, Sabalenka started the final set with a hold and then another pivotal break of Rybakina. The Kazakh seems to be losing strength behind her serve, and only 54% of Rybakina's first serves have landed. 

Sabalenka had a pair of backhand winners, including a cross-court one with her signature roar, to secure the break and 2-0 lead in the third set. She then held serve, sprinting to a 3-0 lead heading into the changeover.

Rybakina recaptures the lead

Rybakina put the match back on her serve, breaking Sabalenka for the second time all match to trail 3-2. The World No. 5 then leveled the decider at 3-all. Despite facing a break point in her ensuing service game, she saved it and won the game as Sabalenka's return sailed long.

The 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh champion then notched her third break of the match as Sabalenka's forehand went into the net. Rybakina had the crowd on their feet during the changeover and arguably the most loud it's been all evening

One game away from the championship

With a hold of serve to secure a 5-3 advantage, Rybakina has herself one game away from her second Grand Slam title and her first Australian Open. Sabalenka held to cut the deficit to 5-4, Rybakina will have a chance to close the match on her serve, as chants of "Kazakhstan" are scattering across the crowd, who just showered the players with applause as they returned to the court. 

Game, set, match, championship

Leading 5-4, 40-30, Rybakina secured the title with the perfect ending -- an ace. Though she had just six on the evening, she had 47 throughout the tournament and it was the 47th one that mattered most. She earns her first-ever Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.