2026 Australian Open Final: Sabalenka (1) v. Rybakina (5)

[spystud]

Does anybody know why the roof is closed?

Rain.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Double fault to start it, not great for Elena

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Rooting for Saba. My fav at the mom.

 

[Sudacafan]

Ribs looking like the favorite, as in the whole tournament.

 

[Hitman]

Rybakina is like the silent assassin.

3-1

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Too many errors from Sabs and Elena holds

 

[tx10is]

let's go rybakina hopefully she can keep this up

 

[Bartelby]

This final is proving a dud so far.

 

[Hitman]

Rybakina had won her last 9 matches against top 10 players.

Going on recent form, she is the best in the world right now.

 

[Sudacafan]

Sab’s not gonna win this with her regular inconsistency.

 

[Hitman]

Dang, Elena is so good with the low ball.

 

[Lozo1016]

Does anybody know why the roof is closed?

I believe there's light rain in Melbourne that's expected to get heavier.

 

[junior74]

Wow, great stuff! What a start from Ryb!

 

[MilosRaonicFan]

Rybakina is striking it so well to start the match

 

[Aussie Darcy]

When Rybakina plays like this you wonder how she hasn’t got more slams. Then you remember that it’s cause Vukov exists

And before you say he’s with her now, remember how she withdrew from about 60 tournaments in the last 2 years because of him.

 

[Bartelby]

the screech is getting schooled

 

[Hitman]

Sabalenka needs to use slices, dropshots and volleys, because just hitting hard is a game plan that plays right into Rybakina's hands.

 

[Bartelby]

how is vukov aka mr creepy dressed in the box?

 

[Enceladus]

Rybakina hits cleanly, with excellent placement and balanced power.

 

[ForehandCross]

I haven't watched much of Rybakina but her hitting is so clean.

 

[Hitman]

I haven't watched much of Rybakina but her hitting is so clean.

Best ball striker in the game today IMO.

For me though Davenport will always be GOAT of clean ball striking.

 

[MilosRaonicFan]

I don't know if either woman is going to let up. Both look like they are determined to win with powerful first-strike tennis.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Rybakina’s serving is too good. Holds for 5-3

 

[Hitman]

What a strong hold in the end.

 

[Hitman]

And it is Elena who brings the dropshot into play!

 

[veelium]

I don't know if either woman is going to let up. Both look like they are determined to win with powerful first-strike tennis.

Not like they have something else they can do that well.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Great return by Sabs.

0-15.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabalenka overdoing it. Didn’t need to go for that much.

30-15 for Rybakina.

 

[spystud]

I swear, imagine how sad your life must be to be @veelium. What an incredible spare.

 

[Hitman]

Sometimes Sabalenka has such sloppy foot work, like she is stuck in the mud.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Rybakina takes the opener 6-4.

Looking composed.

 

[Hitman]

One more set needed.

 

[spystud]

Alright Aryna, pick it up.

 

[ibbi]

To hold her off that entire set with less than 50% first serves in is pretty impressive. Come on, girl.

 

[Enceladus]

Martina Navratilova watches this final in the stands.

 

[Bartelby]

the coach may be a problem otherwise but he is out-coaching Sabalenka's crew

 

[ForehandCross]

Best ball striker in the game today IMO.

For me though Davenport will always be GOAT of clean ball striking.

Henin?

 

[Jonas78]

Is the war an issue between these two? Anyone knows?

 

[roysid]

Why I am getting couple vibes from Rybakina vukov discussion

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabs losing slam finals to Keys, Gauff and Rybakina is gonna be crazy given how good she is.

At least Rybakina is winning it cause she’s the better player.

 

[Hitman]

Henin?

Henin was good in her time, but not where close to Davenport's pure ball striking. Peak Davenport was a sight to behold.

 

[ForehandCross]

I still do not understand the whole on court coaching thing. I never liked that.

Rybakina is hundred percent doing amazing, so is this much input actually required?

 

[roysid]

Is the war an issue between these two? Anyone knows?

No issue. Rybakina is born russian turned Kazakh. Also she has zero interest in anything other than her coach.
Ukranian players also shake hands with Rybakina

Saba is from Belarus Ally of russia

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Why I am getting couple vibes from Rybakina vukov discussion

Oh the many, many, many things that can be said about this. Vukov is abusive and controlling, was removed and revoked from the WTA due to his treatment of Rybakina who sacked him as coach. Rybakina’s family didn’t like Vukov and how he treated Elena as well.

He worked his way back in but as abusive men usually do. Now he’s coaching her again.

It’s gross, he’s disgusting and the ceremony will be interesting with who Rybakina thanks and doesn’t thank. The WTA Finals ceremony showed us that.

 

[Jonas78]

No issue. Rybakina is born russian turned Kazakh. Also she has zero interest in anything other than her coach.
Ukranian players also shake hands with Rybakina

Saba is from Belarus Ally of russia

Ok thanks!

 

[Hitman]

I still do not understand the whole on court coaching thing. I never liked that.

Rybakina is hundred percent doing amazing, so is this much input actually required?

Its about ironing about the UEs which can help, as the match is very close, despite Elena taking the first set.

 

[roysid]

I still do not understand the whole on court coaching thing. I never liked that.

Rybakina is hundred percent doing amazing, so is this much input actually required?

Since it is allowed and they have around 10 mins because Saba took a 'set loss break' it's better to have some talks.
What was not looking good is Carlos speaking to his bench between points as well. Should limit during change only

 

[roysid]

Oh the many, many, many things that can be said about this. Vukov is abusive and controlling, was removed and revoked from the WTA due to his treatment of Rybakina who sacked him as coach. Rybakina’s family didn’t like Vukov and how he treated Elena as well.

He worked his way back in but as abusive men usually do. Now he’s coaching her again.

It’s gross, he’s disgusting and the ceremony will be interesting with who Rybakina thanks and doesn’t thank. The WTA Finals ceremony showed us that.

Compare Rybakina s result and also mental state when vukov was sacked vs now.
Whatever way you look at it.. Stockholm syndrome , battered wife syndrome or whatever, she is tied up with him mentally

 

[ForehandCross]

Sabalenka has decided she won't allow Rybakina to be the aggressor, interesting times ahead as Rybakina's 1st serve percentage is low. This means from the first ball Aryna is going to try and get ahead.

 

[Hitman]

What an inside in forehand!!