Australian Open Women’s Final Delivers Thrilling Victory
Elena Rybakina secured her second Grand Slam title with a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open women’s final on Saturday. The 26-year-old player, born in Moscow and representing Kazakhstan, capped a remarkable comeback in the third set after a challenging start to the year that included her coach’s suspension. Rybakina ended 2025 on a high by winning the WTA Finals in November, and this victory marked a strong beginning to 2026.
Rybakina’s celebration remained understated, featuring a small fist pump, a brief embrace, and a modest wave to the crowd, consistent with her composed on-court demeanor. She reflected on the match, stating, “The heart rate was definitely beating too fast. Even maybe (my) face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions.” Rybakina sealed the win with an ace, overcoming a semifinal where she needed nearly half an hour to convert her first match point against Jessica Pegula.
Chris Evert’s On-Air Slip-Up During Commentary
During the live broadcast, tennis legend Chris Evert discussed Rybakina’s emotional restraint, noting, “The first time she won a major at Wimbledon, it was very businesslike and there was really no emotion.” Evert added that Rybakina appeared “so happy, so joyful, and allowed herself to have some emotions there and it was really nice to see.”
The commentary took an unexpected turn when Evert stumbled over Sabalenka’s name, saying, “But listen, Ariana, Aryna, Ariana Grande.” She quickly recovered, continuing, “Aryna Sabalenka is used to having every match on her racket, and she finally came up against an opponent who plays the same way.” The mix-up drew lighthearted reactions from viewers, with one fan asking if Evert had really confused the tennis star with pop icon Ariana Grande. Another clarified it as a playful self-correction after mispronouncing the name, calling it a “pretty funny little bit of self-deprecation.”
Sabalenka Reflects on the Defeat
Sabalenka, who claimed the Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024, pushed Rybakina to the limit but faltered in key moments. She led 3-0 in the third set before losing focus, later explaining, “I was 3-0 [in the third set]. I lost my focus and it was 3-4. She did a better job in handling that pressure moment, that’s for sure.”
Sabalenka acknowledged her opponent’s strength, saying, “Maybe I should have tried to be more aggressive on my serve, knowing that I have a break and put pressure on her. But she played incredible. She made some winners. I made couple of unforced errors.” She expressed regret over the quick shift in momentum, noting, “Of course, I have regrets … you lead 3-0 and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4 and I was down a break. So it was very fast. Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me.”
