Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Sabalenka Reaches Fourth Straight Australian Open Final
Aryna Sabalenka is a top tennis player from Belarus.
She just won a big match against Elina Svitolina to reach the final of the Australian Open for the fourth year in a row.
This is a really big deal because only two other women have done this before.
Sabalenka has won the Australian Open twice before, in 2023 and 2024, but she lost last year.
She is very strong and hits the ball really hard.
She will play in the final against Elena Rybakina.
During the match, there was a controversial call where the umpire said Sabalenka made a noise that distracted Svitolina.
Sabalenka was upset but still won the match.
She is really happy to be playing in the final again.
Aryna Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive Australian Open final by defeating Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3.
Sabalenka is the third woman in the professional era to reach the Australian Open final four times in a row.
She has previously won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024 but lost in the 2025 final to Madison Keys.
The match was overshadowed by a controversial hindrance call made by the umpire Louise Azemar Engzell.
Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in the final, who beat Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6(7) in the semi-finals.
- Who
- Aryna Sabalenka, a top tennis player from Belarus
- What
- Reached the Australian Open final for the fourth consecutive time
- When
- January 29, 2026
- Where
- Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
- Why
- Defeated Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals
Hindrance Call Controversy
Player Reactions
Hindrance Call
Hindrance Call Controversy
Umpire Louise Azemar Engzell made a hindrance call against Sabalenka during the match, which Sabalenka disputed.
Player Reactions
Sabalenka was upset by the call but dominated the rest of the match.
- Player
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Country
- Belarus
- Opponent
- Elina Svitolina
- Match Result
- 6-2, 6-3
- Match Duration
- 76 minutes
- Next Match
- Elena Rybakina
- Previous Titles
- 2023, 2024 Australian Open
- Current Status
- World's number 1 tennis player
- Umpire
- Louise Azemar Engzell
- Controversial Call
- Hindrance call during the match
- Final Opponent
- Elena Rybakina
- Head-to-Head
- Sabalenka leads 8-6 overall, Rybakina leads 3-1 in finals
Sources
No country for Aryna Sabalenka: Tennis champion banned from using national flag, anthem at Australian Open: Here’s why
Australian Open: Sabalenka Beats Svitolina To Reach Final
Aryna Sabalenka Cruises into Fourth Consecutive Australian Open Final with Straight-Set Victory Over Elina Svitolina
'76 minutes of dominance': Sabalenka in final after straight sets win over Svitolina
Sabalenka crushes Svitolina to reach Australian Open final
'Job Not Done Yet'! Aryna Sabalenka Looks To Banish Ghost Of AO Past After Securing Finals Berth
‘Job not done yet’: Aryna Sabalenka reacts to reaching her 4th Australian Open final after beating Elina Svitolina in the semis
Australian Open: Ukraine's Svitolina Feels 'Very Lucky' Despite Loss
Aryna Sabalenka's Australian Open 2026 semifinal win marred by controversial hindrance call; What is it? Explained
Mission Melbourne: Ruthless Rybakina Overwhelms Pegula; Kazakh Books AO26 Final Showdown With Sabalenka
Australian Open 2026: Rybakina sweeps Pegula in straight sets, to face Sabalenka in repeat of 2023 final
Australian Open 2026 Semi-Final: Why Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka And Ukrainian Elina Svitolina Did Not Shake Hands After Match
Elena Rybakina beats Jessica Pegula to set up epic rematch with Aryna Sabalenka in Australian Open 2026 women's final
Aryna Sabalenka opens up on controversial hindrance call at Australian Open 2026 semifinal; ‘she really pissed me off’
AO 2026 | 'You went, Uh-aya': Sabalenka's semis win vs Svitolina mired by hinderance call controversy
Times Now: English News, Today Headlines, Latest News and Updates
Aus Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka powers past Elina Svitolina to reach fourth final in Melbourne
