Rybakina Secures Second Grand Slam Title with Comeback Victory in Melbourne
Melbourne, Saturday, 31 January 2026.
Recovering from a 3-0 deficit in the deciding set, Rybakina outlasted World No. 1 Sabalenka to capture her second major title, avenging her 2023 loss at Melbourne Park.
Resilience Under Pressure
The final on Rod Laver Arena, which concluded after 2 hours and 18 minutes of high-stakes play, was defined by a dramatic momentum shift in the deciding set [1]. After dropping the second set and falling behind 3-0 in the third, Rybakina mounted a formidable counter-offensive, winning five consecutive games to dismantle Sabalenka’s lead [2]. This performance offered a stark narrative contrast to their encounter in the 2023 Australian Open final, where Rybakina won the opening set only to lose the championship in three sets [2]. This time, the 26-year-old maintained her composure to close out the match with an ace on her first championship point, securing the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup [1][2].
Statistical Milestones and Rankings Impact
Rybakina’s victory places her in exclusive historical company. She is now the sixth player in the Open Era to win her first two women’s singles major titles on grass and hard courts, joining a roster that includes Amelie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, and Venus Williams [3]. The win also has immediate implications for the WTA rankings, propelling Rybakina to the World No. 3 position [3]. For Sabalenka, despite entering the match as the top-ranked player and having won the U.S. Open in both 2024 and 2025, this result marks her second consecutive defeat in an Australian Open final, following her loss to Madison Keys in 2025 [2][3].
A Shift in the Rivalry
The competitive dynamic between these two power hitters has notably evolved over the last six months. While Sabalenka holds a dominant record in Grand Slam finals recently, Rybakina’s trajectory shifted following a pivotal win over Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals in November 2025 [2]. To reach Saturday’s final, Rybakina navigated a difficult draw, defeating No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek and No. 6 Jessica Pegula, demonstrating a consistent ability to overcome the tour’s highest-ranked competitors [4].