Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to win Australian Open 2026 women's singles
On 31 January 2026 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in Melbourne to win her first Australian Open and second Grand Slam title.
Summary
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan won the Australian Open 2026 women's singles title, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, on 31 January 2026. The final lasted 2 hours 18 minutes, and Rybakina sealed it with an ace. It was her first Australian Open title and second Grand Slam after Wimbledon 2022; she had lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka.
Key facts
- Champion
- Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan), 5th seed
- Runner-up
- Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus), world No. 1
- Score
- 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 (2 h 18 min)
- Venue
- Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
- Rybakina's Grand Slams
- 2 — Wimbledon 2022, Australian Open 2026
- Trophy
- Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Who won the women's singles title at the Australian Open 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final on 31 January 2026.
Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open 2026 women's champion, represents which country?
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Correct answer: C — Kazakhstan
Rybakina is from Kazakhstan; the runner-up Sabalenka is from Belarus.
With the Australian Open 2026, Elena Rybakina won her second Grand Slam title. Which was her first?
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Correct answer: A — Wimbledon 2022
AP/BBC: Rybakina's first major was Wimbledon 2022; she lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka.