Australian Open Highlights, Women's Singles semi-final: Elena Rybakina to meet Aryna Sabalenka in final

Elena Rybakina edged a gripping second-set tie-break 9–7 to seal a 7–6 set and complete a 6–3, 7–6(7) win over Jessica Pegula, booking her place in the Australian Open final.

The tie-break swung repeatedly, beginning with Pegula taking early control after winning a marathon rally. Rybakina responded by leaning on her serve, firing down big deliveries and mixing in timely aggression from the baseline to stay level.

Neither player was able to pull clear as mini-breaks were traded, with both forced to defend under sustained pressure. At 7–7, Rybakina stepped up on return, forcing errors off Pegula’s second serve to gain the decisive edge.

She closed out the contest with a fearless backhand down the line, finishing a high-quality semifinal that lasted over two hours. Rybakina advances after navigating the tightest moments with composure and power.

The second-set tiebreak continued to tighten, with neither player able to pull clear.

At 6–6, Elena Rybakina won a sharp six-shot rally, stepping inside the baseline to finish with a firm cross-court forehand after forcing a short reply.

Jessica Pegula responded immediately at 7–6, using a wide serve to draw a return error and edge back in front.

Rybakina answered at 7–7, leaning on her serve-and-attack game. A wide delivery forced a defensive return, and she followed it up with a forehand that pushed Pegula deep and drew an error.

At 8–7, Rybakina produced her biggest serve of the tiebreak, firing down an ace to move one point ahead.

The tiebreak continues, with the two-point margin still required to decide the set.

The second-set tiebreak continued to swing back and forth with momentum changing hands repeatedly.

At 3–4, Jessica Pegula produced one of her best points of the breaker, winning a long 12-shot rally. After neutralising Elena Rybakina’s second serve, Pegula took control with depth and width before forcing an error to edge ahead.

Pegula consolidated at 4–4, again benefiting from sustained pressure as Rybakina missed from the forehand side during a controlled baseline exchange.

The American then moved in front 5–4 by holding serve, drawing a return error after cramping Rybakina with a body serve. Rybakina responded immediately at 5–5, relying on a strong first serve down the T to force an error and halt Pegula’s run.

At 5–6, Pegula struck back once more, winning an eight-shot rally. After stretching Rybakina wide, she stepped inside the baseline and finished the point with a forehand overhead winner to regain the advantage.

The tiebreak remains finely balanced, with both players trading holds, breaks, and extended rallies under heavy pressure.

In the tiebreak, Elena Rybakina continued to apply pressure on return.

At 2–2, Jessica Pegula looked in control after cramping Rybakina with a body serve, but missed a routine overhead, sending it long and handing the point away.

On the next point, Pegula again went to the body, but Rybakina responded with a deep, looping forehand return that pushed Pegula well behind the baseline. From a defensive position, Pegula attempted to attack but made another forehand error.

Rybakina moves ahead 3–2 in the tiebreak as the momentum continues to swing.

The second-set tiebreak got underway with Jessica Pegula serving first.

Pegula took the opening point with a long, grinding rally, winning a 19-shot exchange by pulling Elena Rybakina wide and eventually forcing a backhand error to move 1–0 ahead.

Rybakina responded immediately on her serve. A strong delivery down the T cramped Pegula, and Rybakina followed it up with an aggressive forehand sequence, stepping inside the baseline to finish with a clean forehand winner and level the tiebreak at 1–1.

The momentum shifted again on the next point as Pegula regained the advantage, capitalising on a backhand unforced error from Rybakina to move ahead 2–1 in the tiebreak.

The tiebreak continues with both players trading early momentum.

Jessica Pegula broke back to level the second set at 6–6, forcing a decisive tiebreak.

Serving at 5–6, Elena Rybakina came under immediate pressure as Pegula stepped inside the court on second serves and attacked early in rallies. Pegula struck first with a deep return to go up 0–15, then continued to dictate with aggressive forehand play.

Rybakina responded with a strong first serve and forehand combination to move ahead 30–15, but errors at key moments brought Pegula back into the game. A forehand unforced error handed Pegula break point at 30–40, only for Rybakina to save it with a forceful forehand to bring up deuce.

The pressure persisted through multiple deuces. Pegula earned another break opportunity by taking control of a neutral rally and forcing an error, and this time she made it count. After attacking Rybakina’s second serve, Pegula finished the exchange with a firm forehand winner to secure the break.

Pegula takes the game to make it 6–6, sending the second set into a tiebreak.

Elena Rybakina applied relentless pressure on return to move ahead 6–5 in the second set, forcing the match into another crucial phase.

Serving at 5–5, Jessica Pegula opened the game with a well-directed body serve to take the first point. Rybakina responded immediately, tightening her baseline depth and winning consecutive exchanges to turn the score around and edge in front.

The momentum swung decisively as Rybakina pushed Pegula into extended rallies, earning three break points at 15–40 through sustained pressure and sharp changes of direction. Pegula showed resilience, saving two break points with strong serving and measured groundstrokes.

With the set still finely balanced, Rybakina continued to dictate from the back of the court, forcing another error late in the game to gain the advantage. The contest now moves into a decisive moment, with the next game set to determine whether the set is extended or closed.

Jessica Pegula broke serve to level the second set at 5–5, denying Elena Rybakina a second chance to close out the match.

Pegula made a fast start, winning the opening point with a forehand winner to go 0–15, then following it up with a sharp backhand return winner to move ahead 0–30.

Rybakina responded with a wide serve to pull one point back at 15–30, then fired an ace down the T to level the game at 30–30.

Pegula stayed aggressive and earned break point when Rybakina missed a forehand from a neutral position, making it 30–40. On the next point, Rybakina again made an error from the baseline, sending a forehand long.

Pegula breaks serve and brings the set back on level terms at 5–5.

Jessica Pegula held serve under heavy pressure to stay alive, closing the gap to 4–5 in the second set.

The game began with Elena Rybakina striking first, hitting a forehand winner to move Pegula behind at 0–15. Pegula responded well, using her serve and a long rally to level at 15–15, then followed up with another strong body serve to edge ahead 30–15.

Rybakina fought back by attacking Pegula’s second serve to make it 30–30, and from there the game turned into a long battle. Pegula earned game point at 40–30, but Rybakina saved it with aggressive returning. Multiple deuces followed, with both players trading baseline winners and forcing errors under pressure.

Rybakina earned several break points, but Pegula held her nerve each time, relying on smart body serves and deep groundstrokes to stay in the game. Eventually, Pegula sealed the hold with a 152 kmph serve down the T that Rybakina couldn’t return.

Pegula holds serve after a marathon game, but Rybakina still leads 5–4 and will serve again for the match.

Elena Rybakina held serve comfortably to move ahead 5–3 in the second set.

She started strongly with a firm serve down the T and followed it up with a forehand winner to take 15–0. A wide second serve forced an error for 30–0, keeping Jessica Pegula under pressure.

Pegula pulled one point back at 30–15 after a long rally, but Rybakina answered with another powerful serve down the T to reach 40–15. Pegula stayed alive by winning the next point with a forehand winner, narrowing it to 40–30.

Rybakina then finished the game in style, firing an ace out wide to close out the hold.

Jessica Pegula held serve to stay in touch, narrowing the second set score to 3–4.

She opened the game with a wide serve to move ahead 15–0, but Elena Rybakina hit back on Pegula’s second serve to level at 15–15. Rybakina then took control of the next point with an overhead winner, pushing Pegula into a 15–30 deficit.

Pegula steadied herself with a well-directed body serve, forcing an error to make it 30–30. She followed that up by drawing a short return, moving forward, and finishing the point with a neat volley to reach 40–30.

On game point, Pegula again went to the body with her serve. Rybakina attacked but sent her forehand long, allowing Pegula to close out the game.

Pegula holds serve and trails 3–4 in the second set.

Elena Rybakina held serve to extend her lead to 4–2 in the second set.

The game began with Jessica Pegula taking advantage of a second serve to move ahead 0–15, forcing an error in a baseline exchange. Rybakina responded immediately with a strong ace out wide to level at 15–15.

At 30–15, Rybakina controlled a backhand rally and drew a forehand error from Pegula. She then fired a 184 kmph ace out wide to reach 40–15. Pegula kept the game alive by winning the next point after a long exchange, narrowing it to 40–30.

Rybakina stayed composed and closed the game by forcing a backhand error from Pegula, holding serve to make it 4–2 in the second set.

Elena Rybakina broke serve again to move ahead 3–2 in the second set.

Jessica Pegula opened the game on serve, but an early backhand error handed Rybakina the first point at 0–15. Rybakina then stepped in on a second serve and drilled a backhand return winner to extend the lead to 0–30.

Pegula responded with an aggressive forehand winner off a wide serve to make it 15–30, but Rybakina stayed in control, winning the next rally to earn break point at 15–40.

Pegula saved one break point with a strong forehand winner to reduce the score to 30–40, but Rybakina finished the job on the next point. A deep backhand cross-court shot pushed Pegula wide and forced an error.

Rybakina breaks serve and leads 3–2 in the second set.

Jessica Pegula broke back immediately to level the second set at 2–2.

Elena Rybakina started strongly on serve, opening with a wide delivery to go 15–0, then following it up with an ace down the T to move ahead 30–0.

From there, Pegula turned the momentum. She stepped inside the baseline on Rybakina’s second serve to win the next point, making it 30–15, and repeated the approach with a deep forehand return to level the game at 30–30.

Pegula stayed aggressive on another second serve to earn break point at 30–40, pushing Rybakina well behind the baseline and forcing an error. On the next rally, Pegula changed direction smartly, stretching Rybakina wide and drawing another mistake.

Pegula breaks serve and brings the second set back on level terms at 2–2.

Elena Rybakina broke serve to move ahead 2–1 in the second set.

Jessica Pegula began the game well, landing a strong first serve down the T to take 15–0. Rybakina responded by winning a long rally off Pegula’s second serve to level at 15–15, but Pegula answered with another firm first serve to go back in front at 30–15.

The momentum shifted at 30–30, where Rybakina forced an error after a solid baseline exchange. She then earned break point following a long rally, finishing the point with a firm backhand volley to move ahead 30–40.

On break point, Pegula’s first serve lacked pace, and Rybakina stepped in confidently, drilling a forehand return winner cross-court to seal the break.

Rybakina takes the game and leads 2–1 in the second set.

Elena Rybakina answered back immediately, holding serve to level the second set at 1–1.

The game began with a slight opening for Jessica Pegula, who attacked Rybakina’s second serve to move ahead 0–15. Rybakina responded well, using a strong first serve down the T and a forehand winner to make it 15–15, before following up with another serve-plus-one play to go 30–15.

Pegula fought back at 30–30, taking advantage of a softer second serve to force an error. But Rybakina stayed composed. A 187 kmph first serve produced a clean service winner to reach 40–30, and she closed the game confidently by stepping in and finishing with a 140 kmph forehand approach winner.

Rybakina held serve comfortably to level the set at 1–1.

Jessica Pegula began the second set with a confident hold of serve to take a 1–0 lead.

She started strongly with a wide serve that forced an error from Elena Rybakina, moving ahead 15–0. A well-directed body serve followed, cramping Rybakina and drawing another return error for 30–0.

At 40–0, Pegula stayed solid through a long baseline rally, eventually seeing Rybakina push a forehand long. Rybakina briefly responded with a powerful forehand winner to make it 40–15, but Pegula shut the door immediately.

She closed the game with a 152 kmph ace down the T, holding serve to love and opening the second set on a positive note.

Serving for the set at 5–3, Elena Rybakina began with a loose error, allowing Jessica Pegula to move ahead 0–15.

Rybakina responded with a solid second serve down the T, forcing a return error to make it 15–15. She then found more pace, firing a 191 kmph serve down the T to go up 30–15, followed by a wide second serve that stretched Pegula and brought up 40–15.

Pegula saved one set point with a fine backhand winner, narrowing the score to 40–30. But Rybakina stayed composed, using a firm body serve to set up a 144 kmph forehand winner that closed out the game.

Rybakina held serve to take the opening set 6–3.

Elena Rybakina stepped up to serve at 4–2, knowing one more strong hold would put her on the brink of the set.

The game didn’t start her way. A body serve still saw Jessica Pegula dig deep and fire a sharp cross-court backhand winner to grab 0–15. A brief wobble? Not quite.

Rybakina answered with a wide second serve that dragged Pegula off the court, followed by heavy forehands that eventually forced an error to level things at 15–15. From there, the volume went up. A 176 kmph wide serve pushed Pegula beyond the sideline, and Rybakina pounced with a forehand overhead winner to move ahead 30–15.

At 40–15, she showed her nerve, cracking a bold 145 kmph second serve straight down the T, jamming Pegula and forcing a rushed forehand error. One point left.

Rybakina saved her best for last. A 164 kmph serve out wide on the deuce court sent Pegula scrambling, the return floated long, and the game was done.

Four points in a row, a ruthless hold of serve, and a 5–2 lead secured. Rybakina walked to the changeover with a smile — next stop, serving for the set.

Jessica Pegula has finally managed to make her presence felt in the semi-final fixture against Elena Rybakina. The American was trailing 0-3 in the first set, being completely outplayed by her Kazakh rival. However, Pegula still has to earn her break point back to draw level in the set or else Rybakina is cruising towards comfortably sealing it.

Elena Rybakina has managed to break Jessica Pegula's serve early in the match, giving the Kazakh player an early advantage over her rival. In no time, she has taken a 3-0 lead in the first set. 

Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina have faced off each other six times so far, with both players having emerged victorious three times each. The past record makes the upcoming semi-final even more exciting for fans. 

Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina are set to go up against each other in the second semi-final at the Rod Laver Arena. Rybakina will be eyeing to enter her second final at the Australian Open, having last featured in the summit clash in 2023. On the other hand, Pegula has qualified for the semi-final for the first time in Melbourne and will look to enter her maiden final.

Aryna Sabalenka races to her 4th Australian Open final with a dominating 6-2, 6-3 win against 12th seed Elina Svitolina.

There are no handshakes after the match and she goes straight to soak the crowd.

Aryna Sabalenka has raced to a 5-2 lead and is nearing her final's spot.

Svitolina is trying to hold on, but it does not look like she can break Sabalenka at the moment. 

Comeback from Elina Svitolina.

She breaks Sabalenka's serve and then holds her own. She is giving the ball a little more height than usual and that is causing Sabalenka trouble.

There is some frustration at Sabalenka's end as well, and she looks irritated by something.

At the moment, we do not know what that is.

Aryna Sabalenka dishes out her powerful forehand shots and finishes off Elina Svitolina 6-2 in the first set.

It took her just 41 minutes to win the first set.

Here is the incident that affected Aryna Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka breaks Elina Svitolina and now holds her serve. The World No.1 is now ahead 4-1 in the first set. Her devastating forehands have started to stick and Svitolina's returns are going long.

The Ukranian needs to be perfect with her returns, else this will be a short game for her.

Aryna Sabalenka hits long on her forehand, slightly so. The line-judge calls it long but the close call meant that Svitolina continued to play.

But Sabalenka stopped the point, calling it a hindrance.

This is a wild moment, and that too, right at the start of the match!

Better from Sabalenka in the third game of the first set. Her serves are strong, and Svitolina miscalculates the distances of her return. She goes too deep and commits unforced errors, hitting them long.

Sabalenka leading 2-1 after three games. Either of the players are yet to be broken.

Aryna Sabalenka comes out with a strong serve in the first game. Elina Svitolina matches that with a serious return. Good pace and depth on it and wins the first point of the match.

Svitolina had raced to a 40-15 lead, but Sabalenka manages to pull it back. She goes to her backhand slices early on after seeing that Svitolina is standing at the backline, hoping for pace from the Belarusian.

Sabalenka takes the first game after being made to labour slightly.

Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina are on court.

They are doing their hits inside the Rod Laver Arena. The roof is open and we are set for an exciting clash today.

We are just half an hour away from live action.

Stay tuned as we bring you the coverage of the game.

We will try to bring you the updates from the game, the best moments and the top reactions from social media. What we will try to do is to make this an interesting experience for you today.

Elina Svitolina arrives in the semi-final on the back of a typically gritty run through the draw. The 12th seed has relied on her court coverage and competitive edge to grind opponents down as she chases a first Grand Slam title.

Standing in her way, however, is a daunting head-to-head against Aryna Sabalenka. Svitolina has lost five of their six meetings, including the last four, a record that underlines the scale of the task awaiting her on Rod Laver Arena.

“When you play the top players, you have to find those small opportunities and be ready to take them,” Svitolina said after her commanding quarter-final win over Coco Gauff.

“It’s going to be another big challenge. Of course, I’m just one step away from the final.”

Aryna Sabalenka’s ruthless approach has translated into almost flawless execution on court. The top seed has stormed through five rounds without dropping a set, barely giving her opponents a foothold as she closes in on a fourth straight final in Melbourne.

Lifting a third trophy at the site of her Grand Slam breakthrough would take Sabalenka to five major titles, drawing her level with Martina Hingis and Maria Sharapova on the all-time list and further cementing her ascent over the past few seasons.

While her dominance is built on raw power and precision from the baseline, Sabalenka has expanded her game significantly. The addition of slices, deft drop shots and the occasional serve-and-volley has made her far less predictable and even harder to contain.

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina has won in straight sets against everyone in the Australian Open. Playing against Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, Rybakina blasted her way to a 7-5, 6-1 win.

Pegula, on the other hand, forced Amanda Anisimova into an epic meltdown in the quarters, and she is yet to drop a set in the competition as well.

Elena Svitolina's match against Russian Meera Andreeva has already courted controversy after they did not shake hands at the end of the match.

Handshake is not expected today as well.

The two semi-finals in women's singles competition begin today at 2 PM IST. The day starts with Aryna Sabalenka taking on Elina Svitolina, in what is set to be a politically charged game.

Sabalenka, who hails from Belarus recently hit out against a Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova, who had called for suspension of the Belarusian player.

Sabalenka had responded to her critics, by saying that she was pro peace.

“I respect that everyone is allowed to have their opinion and use their platforms,” Sabalenka said.

“I’ve been clear before that I’m pro-peace. Nothing has changed. That’s all I can say about that.”

Hello and welcome to India Today's live coverage of the Australian Open. It is Day 12 in the competition and we are gearing up for the women's singles semi-finals today.