Australian Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka Beats Elina Svitolina in Straight Sets to Reach 4th Consecutive Final

Aryna Sabalenka has turned Melbourne Park into her personal stage, and in 2026 she’s done it again. With a commanding straight-sets victory over Elina Svitolina, the Belarusian powerhouse stormed into her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, cementing her status as the undisputed queen of hard courts.

From the first ball, Sabalenka set the tone. Her serve—already the most feared weapon on the WTA Tour—was firing on all cylinders, routinely clocking triple digits and leaving Svitolina scrambling. The Ukrainian star, known for her elite defense and tactical intelligence, tried to absorb the pace and extend rallies. But Sabalenka refused to be drawn into long chess matches. Instead, she dictated with fearless aggression, stepping inside the baseline and flattening out her groundstrokes to take time away.

The opening set was a statement. Sabalenka broke early, held with authority, and never let Svitolina breathe. Every time Svitolina tried to claw her way back with crafty angles or sudden net approaches, Sabalenka had an answer—usually in the form of a thunderous return or a backhand laser down the line. The set slipped away quickly, and with it, much of the momentum.

In the second set, Svitolina showed her trademark resilience. She dug in, extended games, and even earned break chances. But this was Sabalenka’s night. Calm, composed, and brutally efficient, she saved pressure points with big first serves and bold shot-making. Where earlier versions of Sabalenka might have tightened up, the 2026 version looks complete—mentally tough and tactically sharp.

The handshake at the net told the story: respect from Svitolina, quiet confidence from Sabalenka.

Reaching a fourth straight Australian Open final is more than just a stat—it’s a legacy-in-the-making moment. In an era packed with depth and danger, Sabalenka has made Melbourne her fortress. Year after year, she arrives not just hoping to win, but expecting to.

Now, with one more match to go, the question isn’t whether Sabalenka belongs among the greats—it’s how high she can climb. A fourth consecutive final already puts her in rare company. Another trophy would push her into a different stratosphere entirely.

In 2026, the Australian Open once again belongs to Aryna Sabalenka. And judging by this performance, she’s not done making history.