Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her fourth consecutive Australian Open final by defeating Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3, delivering 29 winners with no aces and showing improved net play and overall consistency.

The match featured Sabalenka challenging a late call, arguing that the umpire’s decision could ultimately boost her aggression, even as she faced a potential penalty.

Svitolina, adhering to Ukraine’s stance on Russian/Belarusian players, did not shake hands with Sabalenka after the match.

The weekend at the Australian Open includes men’s semifinals with Alcaraz vs. Zverev and Sinner vs. Djokovic, framing the broader tournament context.

Sabalenka, the world No. 1, enters the final with an 11-match win streak in 2026, reinforcing her status as the player to beat.

Elena Rybakina defended her path to the final by beating Jessica Pegula in a tense tiebreak, after fighting off multiple match points.

Sabalenka will face Rybakina in the final; she vows to treat the rematch as a fresh battle with renewed mental and physical solidity.

This final would be Sabalenka’s eighth major final appearance and fifth in the last six Grand Slams, underscoring her sustained major presence.

The final will be a 15th meeting between Sabalenka and Rybakina, with Sabalenka leading 8-6 and aiming to avenge a recent result in the larger rivalry.

Sabalenka’s dominant serving and powerful baseline play sparked a late surge, with a decisive backhand helping seal the first set and momentum into the second.

Sabalenka improved to 5-1 in head-to-head against Svitolina, extending her lead as she pursues a fifth final in six tournaments.

Svitolina, in her first Australian Open semifinal at 31, is set to return to the top 10 next week, her first time since 2022 after the birth of her daughter.