Rybakina beats Pegula, to meet Sabalenka in Australian Open final

Elina Svitolina set up a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 final at Melbourne Park by battling past American Jessica Pegula 6-3 7-6(7), as the Russian-born Kazakh ramped up her own quest for a second major title following her 2022 Wimbledon triumph.

Fifth seed Rybakina dictated terms with her trademark heavy hitting to pile the pressure on Pegula, who looked out of sorts under the lights.

Sixth-seeded Pegula settled her nerves and stayed in touch at 4-2 down after saving break points, but Rybakina dialled up the intensity again and took the opening set with a cross-court winner to put one foot in the final.

Having finished her 2025 campaign by toppling Sabalenka in the season-ending WTA Finals to lift the trophy, Rybakina looked in a hurry to book her 15th clash with the Belarusian as she broke Pegula for a 2-1 lead in the second set.

The clean forehand winner that put Rybakina ahead drew a frustrated response from Pegula, who composed herself to break back and later saved three match points to draw level at 5-5.

Rybakina responded immediately, assisted by the net cord, but a determined Pegula did not give in and forced a tiebreak where she squandered two set points before finally fading away.