Underdogs & Champions: Sports News – February 2, 2026
The first leg of the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz season concluded with a stunning victory for Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open. Rybakina defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to claim her second career Grand Slam title, marking a significant moment in the early 2026 season.
Rybakina’s Dominant Run
Star of the Week
Elena Rybakina’s performance throughout the Australian Open was exceptional. Now ranked No. 3 in the PIF WTA Rankings, she secured wins against Elise Mertens, Iga Swiatek, and Jessica Pegula before ultimately triumphing over Sabalenka in the final. She only dropped one set during the entire tournament, which occurred in the final match against Sabalenka.
A Classic Final
The final match between Rybakina and Sabalenka proved to be a compelling contest. After splitting the first two sets, Sabalenka initially took a 3-0 lead in the deciding set. However, Rybakina rallied, winning six of the final seven games to secure the championship. The final was remarkably close, with both players winning 76 percent and 48 percent of their first and second serve points, respectively, and finishing with 92 points apiece. Rybakina’s single break of serve proved to be the deciding factor.
Beyond the Final
Notable Performances
Several other players delivered strong performances during the Australian Swing. Nominees for star of the swing include Sabalenka, Auckland champion Elina Svitolina, Pegula, Adelaide champion Mirra Andreeva, Victoria Mboko, rising star Iva Jovic, United Cup MVP Belinda Bencic, and Australian Open doubles champions Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai.
Upset of the Week
Elina Svitolina delivered a significant upset, defeating Coco Gauff in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Svitolina, now ranked in the Top 10, won the match 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes. She had 12 winners to Gauff’s 3, winning 71 percent of her first-serve points.
History Made in the Top 10
The Australian Open also marked a historic moment in women’s tennis. With Svitolina’s return to the Top 10, she and Belinda Bencic became the first two mothers to simultaneously hold positions within the WTA Top 10. Bencic had previously re-entered the Top 10 in mid-January after being named United Cup MVP.
Looking Ahead
Rybakina’s recent success, including winning 10 consecutive matches against Top 10 players and defeating Sabalenka in four of five finals, positions her as a strong contender for future tournaments. She has won 20 of her last 21 matches. Rybakina will continue her winning streak as the WTA Tour progresses. Sabalenka’s 11-match winning streak to start the season was broken by Rybakina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Australian Open in 2026?
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open in 2026.
Who were the nominees for star of the swing?
The nominees were Rybakina, Sabalenka, Svitolina, Pegula, Andreeva, Mboko, Jovic, Bencic, Mertens, and Zhang Shuai.
What was the score of Svitolina’s win over Gauff?
Svitolina defeated Gauff 6-1, 6-2.
With Rybakina’s impressive performance and the emergence of other strong contenders, what narratives will define the remainder of the 2026 WTA season?