Rybakina powers past Sabalenka to win her first Australian Open title

Elena Rybakina poses with the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the women's singles final between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) MELBOURNE, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- World No. 5 Elena Rybakina outdueled top seed Aryna Sabalenka with astonishing power hitting to win her first Australian Open title in an engrossing three-set final on Saturday. Under the closed roof at Rod Laver Arena, Kazakhstan's Rybakina overcame Belarussian Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes. Rybakina sealed her second Grand Slam title with an ace and celebrated in low-key fashion...