Australian Open women's final predictions: Sabalenka and Rybakina set for another dust-up down under

Australian Open women's final date, start time & TV info 

Date Saturday, January 31
Starts 8.30am Saturday
Venue Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne
TV TNT Sports & Discovery+

Already advised by Adrian Humphries

Aryna Sabalenka to win the women's Australian Open
3pts 15-8 January 16

Australian Open women's final betting tips & predictions

Three sets in Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina
2pts 11-8 Coral, Ladbrokes

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Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina odds

Here are bet365's odds for the Australian Open women's final:

Odds correct at time of publishing

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina preview

Aryna Sabalenka first’s Grand Slam triumph came courtesy of a thrilling three-set victory over Elena Rybakina in the 2023 Australian Open final and it could be a case of deja vu when they renew their rivalry in the 2026 title decider.

World number one Sabalenka has gone from strength to strength since that battling success over 2022 Wimbledon winner Rybakina three years ago, adding three more Grand Slam wins and making three further finals to underline her growing dominance at the top.

It has been smooth sailing for Sabalenka on her run to a fourth straight Australian Open final as the top seed has powered past all six of her rivals 2-0.

However, Rybakina will also be competing for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup followng six straight-sets victories, which includes claiming the scalps of world number two Iga Swiatek and American sixth seed Jessica Pegula.

The Kazakhstan representative looks right back to her best and she will know that she has the game to stop Sabalenka, having beaten her to win the lucrative WTA Finals in Riyadh in November.

Sabalenka edges their personal series 8-6 but that is a tight margin for a player who has been so dominant on the WTA Tour and Rybakina has triumphed in four of their last six hard-court clashes.

The world number five, driven by one of the most powerful and potent serves on tour, won’t be easy to break and that is often when a frustrated Sabalenka can rack up unforced errors.

Eight of their 14 meetings have gone to a deciding set and, even though neither player has dropped a set in Melbourne, there is real potential for them to cancel one another out.

Rybakina will be looking to take inspiration from Madison Keys, who defeated Sabalenka in three sets in last season’s final as the Belarusian chased a hat-trick of Australian Open wins. She has been broken only six times during the tournament.

However, Sabalenka’s brute force would prove too much for anyone when she clicks, and she has also been imperious on serve. 

Iva Jovic was unable to break Sabalenka in a resounding 6-3 6-0 quarter-final win for the Belarusian while Elina Svitolina, having upset Mirra Andreeva and Coco Gauff, managed only one break of serve in her 6-2 6-3 semi-final defeat.

So it could be wise to expect tight sets, with plenty of games, and whoever is crowned champion may have to work supremely hard for their rewards.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina Bet Builder tips

Over 22.5 games
Under 2.5 breaks of serve in set one
10+ aces for Elena Rybakina
2+ double faults for Aryna Sabalenka

Total odds: @ 11-2 with bet365

Australian Open FAQs

Where is the 2026 Australian Open?

The tournament is held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.

When does the women's final take place?

The Australian Open women's final takes place at 8.30am on Saturday, January 31.

Where can I watch the Australian Open in the UK?

TNT Sports and Discovery+ are the exclusive broadcasters for the Australian Open in the UK this year. 

Every match will be available to stream live on Discovery+, while TNT Sports will provide linear TV coverage.

Who is favourite for the Australian Open women's final?

Aryna Sabalenka is the 4-7 favourite in her bid for a third Melbourne Park crown, with Elena Rybakina the 6-4 outsider.

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