In a politically charged and high-octane semi-final on January 29, 2026, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka stormed into her fourth consecutive Australian Open final, defeating Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3.
The match was defined as much by the lack of a post-match handshake as it was by Sabalenka’s relentless power, setting up a blockbuster rematch of the 2023 final against Elena Rybakina.
1. The “No Handshake” Protocol
As has become standard in matches involving Ukrainian players and athletes from Russia or Belarus, there was no handshake at the net following the match.
The Announcement: To prevent crowd confusion or hostility, an announcement was made at Rod Laver Arena before the match informing fans that no handshake would take place and asking for “respect for both athletes.”
The Context: Elina Svitolina has maintained a firm stance since 2022, refusing to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents while the war in Ukraine continues. Both players acknowledged the official before heading to their benches.
2. Sabalenka’s Path to History
Sabalenka’s 2026 run has been nothing short of historic. By reaching this final, she becomes only the third woman in the professional era—after Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis—to reach four consecutive Australian Open finals.
Flawless Run: Sabalenka has not dropped a single set in the tournament so far.
Mental Resilience: The semi-final wasn’t without drama; Sabalenka was hit with a rare “hindrance call” by umpire Louise Engzell for a late grunt during a rally. While visibly incensed, Sabalenka channeled that frustration into winning the next five games to seal the first set.
3. The Final: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina (2023 Rematch)
Saturday’s final (January 31, 2026) is a “dream final” for tennis fans, featuring the two most dominant power-hitters on the tour.
The Rematch: This is a repeat of the 2023 Australian Open final, where Sabalenka won her first major by coming from a set down to beat Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Head-to-Head: Sabalenka leads their rivalry 8-6, but Rybakina recently defeated her in the 2025 WTA Finals.
Historical Stat: This is the first time since the 2008 Wimbledon final (Williams vs. Williams) that two players have reached a Grand Slam final without dropping a single set.
