Aryna Sabalenka try to find her Australian Open crown as she faces Elena Rybakina in a resounding rematch of their dramatic final three years ago.
The world number 1 was stunned by Madison Keys in last year’s final but is looking to win her third title in four years. after reaching another final in Melbourneafter beating Rybakina to win her first in 2023.
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Both have been in dominant form in this tournament, and Sabalenka and Rybakina are the first players to qualify for a women’s Grand Slam final without dropping a set since Serena and Venus Williams in 2008.
Fifth-seeded Rybakina advanced to her first Grand Slam final in three years by continuing her winning streak against top-10 players with victories over Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula.
Rybakina may have lost to Sabalenka three years ago, but the 2022 Wimbledon winner scored a decisive victory against world number 1 during the WTA Finals at the end of last season.
Sabalenka will be aiming for her fifth Grand Slam title overall after continuing her excellent consistency with a seventh straight Grand Slam final on hard court.
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Start time of Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina
The Australian Open women’s final will begin after 8:30 GMT (UK time) on Saturday 31 January. This will follow the women’s and men’s doubles finals at Rod Laver Arena.
Australian Open order of play
Day 14 – Saturday January 31
00:00 GMT
Aleksandra Krunić (SRB) / Anna Danilina vs. Elise Mertens (BEL) / Shuai Zhang (CHN) (4)
followed by
Not before: 03:30 GMT
Jason Kubler (AUS) / Marc Polmans (AUS) vs. Christian Harrison (USA) / Neal Skupski (GBR) (6)
Not before: 8:30 a.m. GMT
Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Elena Rybakina (KAZ) (5)
Is the Australian Open on TV?
The tournament will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK as well as online on Discovery+.
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In the United States, the broadcast will be broadcast live on ESPN and Tennis Channel.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina head to head
This will be the 15th career meeting between Sabalenka and Rybakina and it is Rybakina who leads the head-to-head 8-6. After Sabalenka won her first four meetings, Rybakina has won six of the last 10, including her most recent meeting at the WTA Finals in November.
What did Aryna Sabalenka say about Elena Rybakina?
“I think her shots are heavy, deep and flat. It’s not easy to work with. We have a great history. She’s an incredible player. We’ve had a lot of great battles, we’ve played a lot of finals. I can’t wait to fight this powerhouse.
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“She and I, we’re both different players (starting in 2023). We’ve been through different things. We’re a lot stronger mentally and physically, and we’re playing better tennis now.
“So I will approach this match as a completely different match, and we have a long history after this final. So I will approach this match as the very first and I will do my best.”
What did Elena Rybakina say about Aryna Sabalenka?
“The last match we played here, it was very close. Throughout the match, I had a few little opportunities, but at the end of the third set, I think Aryna stepped up. She served much better. She deserved this victory.
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“Many years have passed, many matches have been played. I hope that with all the experience I gained from this last match, from the last final I played here, I can take it to Saturday’s match and do my best, concentrate on my serve.
“As we are both very aggressive players, serving is important. Fight until the end, and I hope this time it goes my way.”
