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who won the women's australian open 2026

Elena Rybakina won the women’s singles title at the 2026 Australian Open.

Who won the women's Australian Open 2026?

Quick Scoop

  • Champion: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)
  • Runner-up: Aryna Sabalenka (world No. 1)
  • Score in the final: 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 in Rybakina’s favor.
  • Date & venue: Final played at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, late January 2026.
  • Significance: This was Rybakina’s second Grand Slam title, and her first Australian Open crown.

In short: If you’re searching “who won the women’s Australian Open 2026,” the answer is Elena Rybakina, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller.

How the final unfolded

  • Rybakina took the first set 6–4 with powerful serving and aggressive baseline hitting.
  • Sabalenka responded in the second set, raising her level to claim it 6–4 and force a decider.
  • In the third set, Rybakina recovered from a deficit (reported as being down 3–0 at one stage) and rallied to win 6–4.
  • The match lasted a little over two hours, showcasing heavy hitting from both players and clutch serving from Rybakina in the closing games.

This comeback narrative—down in the final set but still finding a way through—immediately made the match one of the standout stories of the 2026 tennis season.

What this win means for Rybakina

  • It is her second major title, after winning Wimbledon in 2022.
  • She becomes the first Kazakhstani woman to win the Australian Open singles title.
  • With the title, she moves (or returns) to No. 3 in the WTA rankings, solidifying her status among the elite.
  • She also joins a small group of players who have beaten both the world No. 1 and No. 2 en route to an Australian Open title.

For fans and forum discussions, this firmly places Rybakina in the conversation as one of the defining hard-court and big-match players of this era.

Trending context & forum-style angles

In tennis forums and social discussions, several themes around “who won the women’s Australian Open 2026” and the final keep popping up:

  1. Power battle narrative
    • Many threads frame this as the latest chapter in the power-hitter era: Rybakina vs. Sabalenka as one of the biggest rivalries in the current women’s game.
 * Fans highlight the contrast between Rybakina’s cooler on-court demeanor and Sabalenka’s more fiery, emotional presence.
  1. Redemption arc for Rybakina
    • Commenters often mention that Sabalenka previously denied Rybakina an Australian Open title in an earlier final (2023), so this felt like a “revenge” or “closure” win.
 * That history adds extra weight to the storyline: she finally claimed the Melbourne crown that had eluded her.
  1. Impact on the 2026 season narrative
    • Early-season hot takes: with a 9–1 start to the year and a dominant stretch going back to late 2025, some fans argue Rybakina could be the player to beat in 2026.
 * Others push back, pointing out Sabalenka is still world No. 1 and likely to respond strongly on clay and hard courts later in the year.

A typical forum-style comment might read: “If you’re wondering who won the women’s Australian Open 2026, it’s Rybakina—and this might just be the title that turns her into the favourite for the rest of the season.”

Key facts in brief (for quick reference)

  • Winner: Elena Rybakina
  • Finalist: Aryna Sabalenka
  • Final score: 6–4, 4–6, 6–4
  • Tournament: 2026 Australian Open – Women’s Singles
  • Rybakina’s majors total after this: 2 Grand Slam titles

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.