Sabalenka v Rybakina live: Australian Open latest score update

Three years later, Elena Rybakina returns to the Australian Open final, where she will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated her that day.

Their three-set battle in 2023 became an instant classic and made a huge difference for Sabalenka. It was her first Grand Slam title, and now she’s back as a dominant No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion.

Rybakina has not played in a major final since, but she is getting back to her best. She proved she could beat the world No. 1 with a stellar performance at the WTA Finals in November, defeating Sabalenka.

The Australian Open women’s final will start just after 8:30am GMT (UK time) on Saturday 31 January. Previously, the women’s and men’s doubles finals will be held at Rod Laver Arena.

The final will be broadcast live online on TNT Sports and Discovery+ in the UK.

In the United States, ESPN and Tennis Channel will broadcast live.

Aryna Sabalenka is bidding to regain her Australian Open title when she takes on Elena Rybakina in a rematch of her dramatic final three years ago.

The world number one was beaten in last year’s final by Madison Keys but is looking to win her third title in four years after reaching another final in Melbourne, having beaten Rybakina to win her first title in 2023.

Both have dominated the tournament, with Sabalenka and Rybakina becoming the first players since Serena and Venus Williams in 2008 to advance to a Grand Slam women’s final without dropping a set.

Fifth seed Rybakina reached her first Grand Slam final in three years as she continued her winning streak against top 10 players after defeating Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula.

Rybakina may have lost to Sabalenka three years ago, but the 2022 Wimbledon champion claimed victory over the world No. 1 at the WTA Finals late last season.

Sabalenka will be bidding for her fifth Grand Slam title after continuing her remarkable consistency in her seventh consecutive hard-court Grand Slam final.