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.