Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4 to win Australian Open
Fifth seed Rybakina claims second Grand Slam title after 2022 Wimbledon triumph
World number one Sabalenka suffers third loss in past four Grand Slam finals
Rybakina will rise to third in world rankings
Sabalenka 4-6 2-1 Rybakina*
The player to have taken the first set has won 46 of the 57 Australian Open's women's singles finals in the Open era.
The last player to win after having dropped the opening set is Aryna Sabalenka, against Elena Rybakina, in 2023.
Sabalenka 4-6 2-1 Rybakina*
A first double fault of the match for Aryna Sabalenka is the only blemish in the world number one's latest service game, which is over in double-quick time compared with the marathon hold previously by Elena Rybakina.
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 4-6 1-1 Rybakina
Elena Rybakina has faced five break points in this match so far and has saved them all.
*Sabalenka 4-6 1-1 Rybakina
Big.
Elena Rybakina saves three break points to hold serve at the start of the second set.
How crucial will that be?
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 4-6 1-0 Rybakina*
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live
Elena Rybakina is in position and ready to serve, but Aryna Sabalenka is nowhere near. She is having to almost run across the baseline to get back into position.
Sabalenka is trying to make her presence felt out here, but she still isn't getting hold of these second serves and that is leaving her vulnerable for the next shot.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 4-6 1-0 Rybakina*
Brilliant stuff on break point again from Elena Rybakina.
The one-two punch gets the job done again for the former Wimbledon champion, but the next two points are shared so we're back at deuce for a sixth time in this game.
Sabalenka 4-6 1-0 Rybakina*
Aryna Sabalenka gets a look at a second serve on break point but Elena Rybakina finds a clutch second serve out wide before powering away a forehand winner.
But here's another break point - surely one of these opportunities will be taken soon by the world number one?
Sabalenka 4-6 1-0 Rybakina*
A dream of a volley at the net by Elena Rybakina saves the break point.
Another deuce of what might prove to be a pivotal game.
Rybakina's backhand breaks down on the next point - another chance to break...
Sabalenka 4-6 1-0 Rybakina*
A second double fault of the match from Elena Rybakina takes us back to deuce, before Aryna Sabalenka lets out a roar as she sends a forehand away to bring up break point.
Sabalenka 4-6 1-0 Rybakina*
Well then...
Elena Rybakina goes long with a forehand and Aryna Sabalenka, fresh from losing her first set of the tournament, has a glimmer of a chance to break at 15-30.
Two forehand winners from Rybakina give her game point but Sabalenka replies to take us to deuce...
Sabalenka 4-6 1-0 Rybakina*
A hold to 15 for Aryna Sabalenka, who has now won 23 of 33 points on her own serve in this match.
That break she conceded in the opening game proved so costly.
Elena Rybakina, for the record, won 21 of 29 points on her serve in set one.
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 4-6 0-0 Rybakina
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne
Ahhh - a wholesome moment in the crowd while we wait for Aryna Sabalenka to return.
Someone waves a homemade sign emblazoned with a personal message about their dad's 80th birthday.
So those stood in the same section spontaneously burst into a rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. Cute.
*Sabalenka 4-6 0-0 Rybakina
When these two players met in the 2023 Australian Open final, Elena Rybakina won the first set 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka fought back to win the next two sets and win a maiden Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka has left the court for a moment so the TV pictures are focusing on Rybakina deep in conversation with her coaching team by the side of the court.
*Sabalenka 4-6 0-0 Rybakina
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne
Elena Rybakina has not played in a major final since here in 2023. How she will handle the biggest moments today will be crucial.
There were a few wobbles against Jessica Pegula in Thursday's semi-final before she dragged herself over the line.
No bother serving out the opening set - but tenser moments will lie ahead if she is going to take the title.
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 4-6 0-0 Rybakina
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live
It looks like Elena Rybakina is the crowd favourite. Maybe they see her as a slight underdog?
I think people like the way she plays the game. She is very calm and controlled.
Click the 'Get Involved' button to have your say
A tough match! I'm glad to see Rybakina in a Grand Slam final again! She has been very consistent recently and it is nice to see high-level of tennis to challenge Sabalenka's dominance of the sport! We are definitely starting the tour with an excellent final!
Roddy, Ellon
*Sabalenka 4-6 0-0 Rybakina
A clenched fist from Elena Rybakina as she clinches the first set of the Australian Open final!
The Kazakh fifth seed gets Aryna Sabalenka on the run and the world number one pushes a forehand long.
The break of serve came in the very first game and is good value for that first set, despite needing to save a couple of break points in her previous service game.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 4-5 Rybakina*
Aryna Sabalenka powers away a backhand return winner to start a game she needs to win to extend this first set.
Elena Rybakina finds a way back into the game but goes just wide with a forehand. 30-30.
Sabalenka nets a forehand return, so it's set point to the former Wimbledon champion...
Sabalenka 4-5 Rybakina*
Aryna Sabalenka has really picked things up on her serve since being broken in the opening game of the match.
She holds easily again but, after the changeover, it'll be Elena Rybakina serving for a one-set lead.
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 3-5 Rybakina
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live
Elena Rybakina's second serves are so effective.
She gets so much bounce, height and kick off them - and it is just throwing Aryna Sabalenka off a little bit.
At the moment, her second serves are doing just as much damage as her first serves.
