12:45 CET - That's a wrap on the 2026 women's Australian Open! But we're not done with Melbourne yet, with a seismic men's final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic next up tomorrow morning, one that will see history made regardless of the result.
Join us tomorrow for live coverage of that, and be sure to keep an eye on our site in the meantime as we look ahead to that clash and back on Rybakina's triumph.
It's only right that the last word of the day goes to its victor: Elena Rybakina, an Australian Open champion!
12:35 CET - What a two weeks of tennis this has been from Rybakina, who could hardly have been handed a tougher path to the title and yet dropped just a single set on her way to glory.
12:05 CET - Elena Rybakina has won her maiden Australian Open title after stunning world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a final that had just about everything!
Rybakina was a break down and up against the wall in the final set but responded like a champion to break Sabalenka twice and then serve out the match at the first opportunity.
That is Rybakina's second Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon in 2022! Is that the start of a big year for her?
11:15 CET - Sabalenka draws level in this fascinating final after breaking Rybakina's serve late in the second set to take it 6-4. We head to a decider!
10:23 CET - That break of serve would prove to be crucial as the rest of the set stayed on serve before Rybakina showed fantastic composure to serve out the opening set! Is an upset on the cards in Melbourne?
09:50 CET - A flying start by Elena Rybakina as the world number five breaks Sabalenka in the first game of the 2026 final!
Rybakina came out on the front foot and played some aggressive tennis to take the early break of serve.
Sabalenka looks stunned.
09:45 CET - We are underway for the 2026 final as Aryna Sabalenka serves first!
09:40 CET - The finalists are out on court to a great reception by the Australian crowd and a four-minute warm-up begins ahead of the final.
09:20 CET - We are just 20 minutes away from the start of the Australian Open women's final! The atmosphere is building inside the Rod Laver Arena ahead of a blockbuster showdown...
07:30 CET - Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the Australian Open women's final as Aryna Sabalenka takes on Elena Rybakina in a rematch of the 2023 decider!
The action is set to get underway from 09:30 CET, and it looks set to be a fascinating battle between two players who have looked a level above their peers at this year's Open.
Rybakina has been so dominant from the baseline, and her backhand has been her strongest asset. The world number five also has the confidence of winning their last meeting at the WTA Finals, something that can't be underestimated.
Sabalenka, though, is the favourite and is no stranger to headlining the grandest of stages. The Belarusian powerhouse is odds-on for a reason, and there is no chance she will make it easy for Rybakina, whom she beat in this very match three years ago.
It is set to be a final for the ages. Let the countdown begin!