2026 Australian Open SF: Rybakina (5) v. Pegula (6)

[ibbi]

Rebreakina.

 

[spystud]

Please win.

 

[ibbi]

Picks right side on the overhead and nets the pass attempt. Ouch.

 

[jl809]

Epic choke here but then gets a gift back

I cannot stomach another f*cking Sabalenka Pegula bulldozer display, would be so utterly boring. Rybakina was always basically the only player in the draw who could make this an interesting final other than Gauff… need her to come through here

 

[spystud]

This is ridiculous.

 

[Larry Duff]

Fun fun

 

[spystud]

Win the breaker.

 

[ibbi]

Elena has been bullying the Jess forehand the whole match, but Pegula has finally got it holding firm.

 

[jl809]

was thinking “when’s the last time I saw something this excruciating in a late round match at a slam” and then I remembered Raz’s brain fart when 3 CPs up at Wim 24. At least he won the match right after

 

[Cage Rattler]

so many unforced errors

 

[spystud]

Whoops.

 

[spystud]

Here we go.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Pegulaaaaa 3 points away from going home

 

[roysid]

Whos the elder guy in Rybakina box and unable to watch

 

[ibbi]

Another high ball for Pegula put tentatively back at Elena, and again she nets it.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

the net is on again. (during 4-2) ....

 

[spystud]

Elena is going to bone this up.

 

[roysid]

was thinking “when’s the last time I saw something this excruciating in a late round match at a slam” and then I remembered Raz’s brain fart when 3 CPs up at Wim 24. At least he won the match right after

Rybakina is well known for this. Last year 3 matches she lost after being mp up
In one she was 6-2 up in 3rd set tiebreak vs sabalenka
Also lost one to mboko

 

[spystud]

Please save here.

 

[ibbi]

What a way to save set point.

 

[spystud]

Great shot there.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

I mean what's that serve on set point Pegula!

 

[ibbi]

Incredible return on incredible serve at 7-6, and Elena did even better to get the third shot back.

 

[spystud]

One more, come on.

 

[ibbi]

Yessssssssssssss! Beautiful shot to seal it.

 

[spystud]

That a woman.

 

[tennis_pro]

The correct final here. Sabalenka vs Rybakina is gon be gooood.

 

[HarveyPitnik]

That's the style Elena, that's the style!

 

[ibbi]

Hope the final is as good as their last one here.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

One more, come on.

wait I thought you like JPeg

 

[ibbi]

Really tremendous last 3 points from 7-6 down after struggling for the entire back half of the second set.

 

[roysid]

Rybakina finally woke up when being set points down. Two tremendous forehands.

Whereas 20 minutes back she could not put a easy forehand in match point

 

[ibbi]

Her voice doesn't change, her face doesn't change, but from how much she's talking you can tell how good a mood she's in.

 

[jl809]

Good stuff, we have an exciting final. Not the opponent Sab would have wanted, the only person who can reliably handle her game even when she doesn’t mentally implode

 

[spystud]

wait I thought you like JPeg

I like ‘em both, but Elena needed to win.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

was thinking “when’s the last time I saw something this excruciating in a late round match at a slam” and then I remembered Raz’s brain fart when 3 CPs up at Wim 24. At least he won the match right after

last year Keys - Swiatek and Swiatek had MP and was serving for the match.

 

[Hitman]

We got the best final.

 

[spystud]

@NaomiKonjuhPotapova, start the the final thread. I could do it, but you need a little runway.

 

[spystud]

Here we go.

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

Jan 29, 2026

Let’s do this thing, this is what we wanted. We ride.

• spystud
• Replies: 570
• Forum: Pro Match Results and Discussion

• 

 

[abmk]

Rybakina holds and stops the bleeding.