Elena Rybakina has reached her second Grand Slam final after cruising past Jessica Pegula with a 6-3, 7-6 (7) win in the 2026 Australian Open semifinal. Rybakina now looks ahead to a rematch with Aryna Sabalenka in the final, marking a thrilling repeat of last year’s classic final, where Sabalenka triumphed after a hard-fought battle.
Match Result: 6-3, 7-6 (7) victory for Elena Rybakina over Jessica Pegula in 1 hour 40 minutes.
Rybakina’s Final Record: This marks Rybakina’s second Grand Slam final following her Wimbledon 2023 victory.
Sabalenka vs Rybakina Final: Rybakina faces Aryna Sabalenka in the final, with Sabalenka also advancing in dominant fashion.
Key Stats: Rybakina recorded a high first-serve percentage of 76% and won 72% of her first-serve points, showcasing her powerful serving game.
Rybakina’s victory against Pegula was a dominant display of power tennis, as she capitalized on her strong serving and aggressive play to dictate the match. Despite some resilience from Pegula in the second set, Rybakina showed her experience and mental toughness in the tiebreak, finishing the match with a backhand winner to seal her place in the final.
Rybakina’s route to the final has been largely untroubled, with a few minor challenges along the way. Her previous wins in Melbourne have been punctuated by strong serving and dominant groundstrokes, making her a formidable opponent. Her win against Pegula was a clear demonstration of why she’s a top contender at this year’s tournament.
FAMILIAR FOES
The Australian Open 2026 final promises to be a thrilling rematch between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka. With Rybakina aiming to avenge last year’s loss, the stakes are higher than ever. This match will not only decide the champion but also showcase two of the game’s most powerful and resilient players competing for the ultimate Grand Slam title.
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