Gutsy, gritty, unflappable.
How about 2026 Australian Open champion? Multi-time Grand Slam winner? New World No. 3?
Those are just a few of the things you can call Elena Rybakina after she outlasted World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 18 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to claim her second Major title and her first since Wimbledon in 2022.
By lifting the trophy Sunday night, she avenged her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final, where she won the opening set before falling in three sets.
There was no such letdown this time, as the 26-year-old rallied from 3-0 down in the decider to capture her first Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, exorcizing any lingering demons from that devastating defeat three years ago.
More to come…
