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Elena Rybakina hopes for 'many more' Aryna Sabalenka showdowns after claiming maiden Australian Open title with dramatic win over world No. 1

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Elena Rybakina has continued her spectacular end to the 2025 season by claiming her second Grand Slam title, with victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final. The 26-year-old put on a ball-striking masterclass to overawe the top seed in Melbourne, and claim her second major title - her first since winning Wimbledon in 2023.

'Awesome ball striking' from Rybakina as she storms to opening set in final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Elena Rybakina stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to claim her maiden Australian Open title with a tense three-set victory in Saturday's final.

Rybakina, the No. 5 seed in Melbourne, looked on course for defeat when Sabalenka came from a set behind to take a break advantage in the decider.

But the 26-year-old showed renewed spirit to punish errors from the two-time Melbourne champion and claim a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory for her first major win since Wimbledon 2022.

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The final pitted not only the two form players of the women's tour, but also the biggest hitters. Rybakina, who won the WTA Finals in November, extended her run of victories over top 10 opposition to 10 matches and gained revenge over Sabalenka, who won their meeting in the Australian Open final three years ago.

"It is hard to find words now," Rybakina said in the on-court trophy presentation.

"But of course I want to congratulate Aryna for amazing results for a couple of years and I know it is tough, I just hope we are going to play many more finals together and of course congrats to your team for all the improvement and the great job you have done.

Watch as Rybakina seals victory over Sabalenka to claim maiden Australian Open title

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I want to say thank you to you guys for such an incredible atmosphere, it was a battle and honestly your support kept us going.

"Thank you everyone who made this tournament possible. It really is the happy Slam and I always enjoy coming here and playing in front of you guys.

"Of course I would like to say thank you to my team. Without you, it wouldn’t be possible. We had a lot of things going on and I’m really glad we achieved this result. Hopefully we can keep on going strong this year."

On a wet Melbourne night with the Rod Laver Arena roof shut, Rybakina started nervelessly, absorbing Sabalenka's serve and forcing an immediate break - the world No. 1 having saved the first break point, but crashing an attempted line forehand winner wide.

Sabalenka, who is so accustomed to the big stage, initially seemed a little overawed by the occasion, shaking her head between points, with a smattering of uncharacteristic errors.

In a final which pitted two front-footed big hitters against one another, Sabalenka was on the defensive perhaps more than she would have anticipated, with Rybakina playing lights-out tennis in the early exchanges, exemplified as she pulled the two-time champion around the court and hit a special pair of back-to-back winners en route to a hold for 4-2.

Rybakina shows 'finesse' with 'outrageous' return against Sabalenka

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sabalenka grew into the opening set, and looked to be on course to restoring parity at 4-4 by establishing two break points. Rybakina, though, rose to the challenge set out by her counterpart, delivering an ace before consecutive un-returnable serves, bagging a crucial hold, and leaving Sabalenka little chance of salvaging the opener.

And so it proved. While the No. 5 could not breach Sabalenka's fortifications once more in the set, she did not need to.

Rybakina's subsequent hold wrapped the opening set 6-4 - the first Sabalenka had conceded in the tournament - and leaving the four-time major champion a huge uphill task if she was to avoid consecutive, gut-wrenching final defeats in Melbourne.

While Sabalenka's ball-striking has blown away the likes of Elina Svitolina, Iva Jovic and Victoria Mboko en route to the final, she found herself on the receiving end of some immense hitting on Saturday.

And even in the high-pressure moments, Rybakina did not shy away from showcasing her firepower.

Watch as nerveless Rybakina hits stunning back-to-back winners in bright start to final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sabalenka forced three opportunities to gain an immediate break advantage in the second set, looking far more recognisable as she began to take hold of points, rather than being forced to defend against what had come her way.

But Rybakina - once again - did not flinch under the pressure. She batted away the first with a sublime deep volley, and the second when an inch-perfect wide second serve opened up the court for a plus-one winner. A composed backhand line winner staved off the 11-minute Sabalenka charge - in a sizeable dent to the No. 1's comeback hopes.

Sabalenka's pressure, though, would eventually tell. She, quite emphatically, destroyed the Rybakina fortifications with her first break of the match - to love - forcing the first three-set match in the women's draw since the round of 16.

Sabalenka appeared to be growing in dominance, and continued her momentum by gaining an immediate break advantage, swinging the final in her favour by winning a fifth straight game - outlasting Rybakina in a 16-shot baseline exchange to set up break point, and clinically dispatching it with a backhand return winner off a tame second serve.

Sabalenka takes third-set advantage after 'staggering' baseline exchange

Video credit: TNT Sports

But in a wild momentum swing, Rybakina punished tightness in Sabalenka's game to not only put the decider back on serve, but establish a break advantage for 4-3.

Consolidating the break with a hold to 30, Rybakina held her nerve as she served out the championship.

Following defeat - the third Sabalenka has suffered in her last four Grand Slam finals - the world No. 1 said on court: "I want to start with Elena. I want to congratulate you on such an incredible run and incredible tennis. Congrats to you and your team on such an incredible achievement.

"Thank you to my team for always being there, for enjoying the losing finals, but also sometimes to win them so let’s hope for the best.

"Let’s hope that next year Daphne [Akhurst Memorial Cup] is going to be ours. Thank you everyone, thank you."

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