Sabalenka, Rybakina set up Australian Open final showdown

ARYNA Sabalenka swept to her fourth successive Australian Open final with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Ukrainian Elina Svitolina yesterday in a semi-final overshadowed by geopolitical tension.

The top-seeded Belarusian will now face familiar rival Elena Rybakina after the Kazakh star booked her place in the final with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6(7) win over American Jessica Pegula, setting up a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 Melbourne Park final.

Sabalenka, who is seeking her third Australian Open title in four years and a fifth Grand Slam crown overall, produced another dominant display at what has become her favourite hunting ground.

Rybakina, the fifth seed, continued her quest for a second major title following her 2022 Wimbledon triumph. The Russian-born Kazakh made a blistering start on Rod Laver Arena, dictating play with her trademark heavy hitting and piling pressure on Pegula, who struggled early under the lights.

Sixth-seeded Pegula steadied herself after going 4-2 down in the opening set, saving break points to stay in contention. However, Rybakina raised her intensity once more, sealing the set with a cross-court winner to move a step closer to the final.

Having ended her 2025 campaign by defeating Sabalenka in the season-ending WTA Finals, Rybakina appeared determined to set up their 15th career meeting as she broke Pegula early in the second set.

A clean forehand winner that handed Rybakina a 2-1 lead drew visible frustration from Pegula, who regrouped to break back and later saved three match points to level the score at 5-5.

Rybakina responded immediately, aided by a fortunate net-cord bounce, but a resilient Pegula forced a tie-break. The American squandered two set points before eventually fading, allowing Rybakina to clinch victory and book her place in the final.

— Reuters

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