Australian Open 2026 live streaming: Sabalenka vs Rybakina women's final

Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 8-6, including a tight three-set win in the 2023 Australian Open final. However, Rybakina emerged victorious vs Sabalenka in 2025 WTA final

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is taking on Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the women’s singles final of the Australian Open 2026 at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, with the two set to renew one of the tour’s most compelling rivalries.

 

The Belarusian is chasing a third Melbourne title in four years, returning to the final against the same opponent she defeated in a gripping three-set contest at the same stage in 2023. Since that breakthrough, Sabalenka’s stature at the top of the women’s game has only grown, underlined by three additional Grand Slam titles and a sustained run of dominance on hard courts.

Sabalenka vs Rybakina live score updates  Sabalenka 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 Rybakina  3rd set: Rybakina wins it 6-4  2nd set: Sabalenka win 6-4    1st set: Rybakina wraps it up 6-4  3rd set: Rybakina bags it 6-4  Sabalenka leads 1-0 to start the set with her serve. She goes on to take a brilliant break in the 2nd game, dominating the game with her cross court shots on the night to make it 2-0.  Despite of a slight loss in focus, Sabalenka made it through her serve again to make it 3-0 on the night. Rybakina pulled one back with her serve as she made it 1-3 but has a lot to do to return in the game.  Rybakina strikes back and takes a break of her own to make it 2-3 now with her serve coming up next. A shift in energy levels as she looks to get right back in the tie.  A briiliant return by Rybakina who brings it back to 3-3 now. She is looking as determined as ever.   A loss of nerves by Sabalenka probably as she gives the break away to Rybakina who now leads 4-3. A perfect time to be ahead in tie as she will now serve to go 5-3 up.   She doesn't let the lead slip as RYbakina now leads 5-3 with her serve proving to be crucial at this time. She is one break away from the championship now.   Rybakina not exerting much in Sabalenka's serving game as she will now serve herself for the Championship at 5-4.   It wasn't to be for the world number one as Rybakina fights back to win the final set 6-4 and claim her maiden Australian Open title.    2nd set: Sabalenka back in the game with a  6-4 win  Sabalenka begins with her serve and holds her serve to start things right.   The 2nd game saw both players go all out with 5 deuces in the middle and eventually going in the favour of Rybakina. A total of 3 break points but Sabalenka couldn't take the break as her opponent made it 1-1.  Sabalenka olds the serve quite comfortably again to make it 2-1 now.  Rybakina holding her serve for now as well with Sabalenka desperately eyeing that break in the set.   Sabalenka holding firm on her serve and dominantly as well as she makes it 3-2 with the Belarusian looking more closer to getting a break for now.  Rybakina makes it 3-3 with her serve as the new balls will be introduced now. Sabalenka was challenged this time on her serve by Rybakina who got the score to deuce, but the world number 1 recovered well and wrapped the game to make it 4-3.  After Rybakina, levelled the tie 4-4, it was Sabalenka who stood true to his serve and took the 5-4 lead      The patience paid off for Sabalenka as she finally wrapped the 2nd set with a break to win it 6-4 and make it 1-1 in the scheme of things.  1st set: Rybakina wins 6-4  Rybakina starts on the front foot, taking a break and is now leading 2-1 on the night. A comfortable service hold by Rybakina as she maintains the 2 game lead with the set at 3-1 now.  Sabalenka calms herself and continues to do well on her serves, making it 2-3 now. The world number 5 not letting go of her break as Rybakina now leads 4-2 in the set.  Sabalenka aces her way to another game, maing it 4-3 with Rybakina up for a crucial game now in the set. Rybakina now just a game away as wins her serve again to take it to 5-3 now.  Sabalenka right back at it, using her serve to stay close to Rybakina at the moment. Rybakina stands firm and wraps up her set 6-4 on the night. A single break costing Sabalenka the set.

 

Sabalenka vs Rybakina final match prediction

 

The balance of power has shifted since their first Australian Open final meeting. While Sabalenka enters as the favourite, Rybakina — the 2022 Wimbledon champion — is seeking to add a second major to her resume and reassert herself at the biggest stage after narrowly missing out in recent seasons.

 

Saturday’s final brings together two of the game’s most powerful baseliners, with both players having navigated the draw without dropping a set, setting the stage for another high-intensity contest in Melbourne.

 

Sabalenka vs Rybakina head-to-head

 

Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 8–6, including a tight three-set win in the 2023 Australian Open final. However, the margins between the two power-hitters remain fine, as reflected in Rybakina’s victory over Sabalenka in last season’s WTA Finals decider and their closely matched record on hard courts.

 

Having faced each other 14 times on tour, the pair are well acquainted, with Sabalenka holding only a slight edge in a rivalry defined by heavy baseline exchanges and frequent shifts in momentum. Despite that history, the top seed has insisted past results will carry little weight on Rod Laver Arena.

 

Rybakina, the Russian-born Kazakh and fifth seed, arrives with the more recent bragging rights after beating Sabalenka in the WTA Finals title match at the end of 2025, and has said she intends to draw on that experience as she targets success at Melbourne Park

 

Sabalenka vs Rybakina stats comparison ahead of Australian Open Women’s Singles Final
Category	Aryna Sabalenka	Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head	8	6
World Rank	1	5
Highest Rank	1	3
Age	27	26
Time on court (Australian Open 2026)	8h 41m	8h 21m
Grand Slam titles	4	1
Main tour titles	22	11
ITF titles	4	3
Minor titles	2	1

 

Sabalenka vs Rybakina head-to-head record surface-wise
Surface	Sabalenka	Rybakina
Hard	5	4
Clay	1	0
Indoor hard	0	2
Grass	2	0

 

Lessons from defeat fuel Sabalenka’s new approach

 

Sabalenka’s 2025 season was marked as much by disappointment as success. Despite winning four titles, she lost five finals, including the Australian Open, French Open, WTA Finals, Stuttgart and Indian Wells. Those setbacks, she has said, forced her to confront recurring mental lapses rather than technical flaws.

 

The top seed believes she now understands what went wrong in those losses and has worked on staying present rather than reacting emotionally to moments that slip away. That shift was visible during her semi-final win over Elina Svitolina, when a disputed hindrance call failed to derail her focus as she regained control of the match.

 

Her preparation in Melbourne has been near flawless. Sabalenka has not dropped a set en route to her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, extending her winning streak to 11 matches after starting the season with the Brisbane International title. She has spent 8 hours and 41 minutes on court, marginally more than her opponent, but has looked physically assured throughout.

 

Rivalry built on power and surface balance

 

The numbers underline how closely matched the contest remains. Sabalenka holds a 5–4 edge over Rybakina on outdoor hard courts, while Rybakina has been more successful indoors. Sabalenka has also beaten her rival on clay and grass, giving the head-to-head a rare surface spread at the elite level.

 

Both players are among the most aggressive baseliners on tour, relying on serve dominance and first-strike tennis. That dynamic has produced tight matches, including their Melbourne final three years ago and their WTA Finals showdown last November.

 

Notably, both players have reached the final this year without losing a set — a feat not seen at a Grand Slam since 2008 — reinforcing the sense of inevitability around their meeting.

 

Rybakina’s return to the big stage

 

For Rybakina, this final marks her first appearance in a major decider since Melbourne 2023. The Kazakh player, ranked fifth in the world, arrived in Australia as the reigning WTA Finals champion but with limited deep Slam runs since her Wimbledon title in 2022.

 

Her semi-final win over Jessica Pegula tested her nerve, as she was broken twice while serving for the match before closing it out. Rybakina acknowledged that experience would be crucial as she prepares to face Sabalenka again on the same stage.

 

She believes the passage of time has changed both players, mentally and physically, and hopes to apply the lessons learned from her earlier loss in Melbourne, when Sabalenka’s improved serving proved decisive late in the third set.

 

Australian Open 2026 women's singles grand finale live time, Sabalenka vs Rybakina live streaming and telecast details

 

When will grand finale in women's singles at Australia Open 2026 take place?

 

The grand finale of women's singles at Australian Open 2026 will take place on January 31 (Saturday).

 

Which players will face-off in the women's singles final at the Australian Open 2026?

 

Aryna Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in the grand finale of Australian Open 2026.

 

At what time will Sabalenka vs Rybakina final at the Australian Open 2026 begin?

 

The grand finale between Sabalenka and Rybakina will begin at 2 PM, according to Indian Standard Time (IST).

 

Which TV channels will live telecast Sabalenka vs Rybakina final in India?

 

In the Australian Open 2026, live telecast of the Sabalenka vs Rybakina final will be available on Sony Ten 2 HD/SD and Sony Six HD/SD with English commentary. The tennis fans can also watch the tennis match live telecast in Hindi language on Sony Ten 3 HD/SD.

 

How to watch the live streaming of Sabalenka vs Rybakina tennis match in India?

 

Sony LIV application and website will live stream Sabalenka vs Rybakina tennis match in India.