Elena Rybakina defeats Aryna Sabalenka to claim the Australian Open.

Elena Rybakina put on a powerful performance to take down Aryna Sabalenka 6‑4, 4‑6, 6‑4 on Saturday, claiming her first Australian Open title and getting revenge on the world No. 1 in their Melbourne Park final rematch from three years ago.

In 2023, Rybakina returned to the scene of her past heartbreak to claim an impressive victory, securing her second major title after her 2022 Wimbledon triumph and proving herself as the player most capable of challenging Sabalenka’s hardcourt dominance.

At 26, she wrapped up two weeks of relentless efficiency while mostly staying under the radar, adding the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to a résumé that already boasts the 2025 WTA Finals title, earned with a win over Sabalenka.

“It’s hard to find words now but I want to congratulate Aryna for her amazing results in the last couple of years. I hope we’re going to play many more finals together,” Kazakh Rybakina said.

“I want to say thank you to you guys (fans). Thank you so much to Kazakhstan. I felt the support from that corner a lot. It’s really a happy slam and I always enjoy coming here and playing in front of you guys.”

In the first grand slam final since 2008 featuring players yet to drop a set, it was top seed Sabalenka who blinked first under the Rod Laver Arena roof as Rybakina came out all guns blazing to break in the opening game and wrest control.

The Kazakh fifth seed’s huge ball-striking caused all sorts of problems for twice champion Sabalenka, as she comfortably got to set point in the 10th game and finished it off to send alarm bells ringing in her opponent’s dugout.

Having arrived with 46 hardcourt grand slam match wins from the last 48, four-times major winner Sabalenka found her groove and started the second set more positively, but Rybakina saved three break points to hold for 1-1.

A wayward forehand from Rybakina handed Sabalenka the chance to level at one set apiece, and the Belarusian gleefully took it to turn the final set into a shootout destined to be decided by whichever player held their nerve.

Having beaten Rybakina from a similar situation in the 2023 title clash, Sabalenka unleashed a flurry of winners to go ahead 3-0, but the Kazakh erased the deficit and broke for 4-3 before securing the victory to add to her 2022 Wimbledon triumph.

Aryna Sabalenka has won the Australian Open twice before. 
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP

The knockout blow was a huge ace, after which the typically restrained Rybakina walked forward, smiled and pumped her fist before celebrating with her team.

Sabalenka, denied an Australian Open “three-peat” by American outsider Madison Keys in last year’s final, endured heartbreak again as she retreated to her chair and draped a white towel over her head to conceal her anguish

“I’m really speechless right now,” she said, before turning to her victorious opponent and the fans.

“I want to congratulate you on an incredible run and incredible tennis. Such an incredible achievement. I love being here, love playing in front of you all. You guys are incredible support. Let’s hope next year is going to be a better year.”