A resounding victory for Elena Rybakina

Elena Rybakina advanced to the Australian Open 2026 quarterfinals today with a clinical 6-1, 6-3 victory over 21st seed Elise Mertens at Margaret Court Arena.

Rybakina, the tournament’s 5th seed, showcased the “easy power” that has become her trademark. She dominated the 77-minute match by striking 32 winners, including 10 aces. Her serving was particularly effective; she saved the only break point she faced in the opening game with a 175 km/h ace and proceeded to win 72% of her first-serve points.

The first set was a one-sided affair, with Rybakina breaking Mertens twice to race to a 4-0 lead before closing it out 6-1 in just over 30 minutes. While Mertens showed more resistance in the second set, holding serve to reach 2-2, Rybakina’s relentless aggression forced a critical break at 3-2. She eventually secured the match with a final forehand winner on her second match point.

This victory marks Rybakina’s seventh career Grand Slam quarterfinal and her first in Melbourne since her runner-up finish in 2023. In her post-match interview, she noted an improvement in her level, stating, “Today, I think, I played much better than the previous match”.

The win sets up a high-stakes quarterfinal clash against world No. 2 Iga Świątek, who defeated Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis later on Monday. This upcoming match is one of the most anticipated of the tournament, as the two have a storied rivalry; Świątek currently holds a slim 6-5 lead in their head-to-head record.

For fans looking to follow the rest of the tournament, the Official Australian Open Schedule provides daily updates on court assignments and match times. The Rybakina vs. Świątek quarterfinal is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28.