Melbourne, January 28, 2026: Elena Rybakina kept herself in line for her second Grand Slam title by storming into the Australian Open semifinals with a confident 7-5 6-1 win over world number two Iga Swiatek.
A strong serve has always been a crucial weapon in Rybakina’s game and she used it along with solid ground-strokes to produce a solid show at Rod Laver Arena.
The last time Rybakina made the last-four at a Grand Slam was at this very venue in 2023 when she made the title clash but lost to Aryna Sabalenka in three sets.
Six-time Major winner Swiatek came into the contest with a 6-5 lead in head-to-head record and was gunning for her maiden title at Melbourne Park but Rybakina put paid to the Polish player’s hopes.
It was also second straight win for world number five Rybakina over Swiatek, who she beat at WTA Finals recently.
“I am so pleased with this win. We know each other pretty well, I tried to stayed aggressive. In the second set I tried to play more freely. It’s a bit challenging with the sun, but hopefully I will continue playing well,” said Rybakina.
“I am pretty calm outside the court also, I do not show my frustration,” she said when asked if she as calm outside as she is on the court.
Rybakina and Swiatek largely stayed solid with their service games and after trading a break each, the opening set looked like moving towards a tie breaker. The Kazkah, though, cashed in on sudden unforced errors of her rival to nose ahead in the quarterfinal contest.
Rybakina’s support staff kept guiding her from with sidelines with tips like ‘relax your shoulders, relax your shoulders’, ensuring that she does not get tight and stroke freely.
Rybakina fired a forehand winner to make it 30-all when Swiatak was serving to stay in the set in game 12.
A forehand error on the following point — inside out sprayed on the left of Rybaika and flying over the lines, gave Rybakina her first set point but Swiatek found a winner to stave off the danger.
Tips like ‘do not give time, do not give her time’ kept coming from Swiatek’s corner but soon Rybakina had her second set point when Swiatek netted a forehand return.
After engaging Rybakina in a longish rally, largely dictated by backhand, Swiatek went for a winner but netted the stroke to hand her rival opening set.
Rybakina locked a 12-shot rally with a stunning backhand winner to earn three break points early in the second set and sealed the advantage to open up a 2-0 lead which she consolidated with an easy hold.
Up 3-0, Rybakina was running away with match when Swiatek began to resist fiercely.
She held her first game and attacked the Kazakh’s serve in game five, but Rybakina was up for challenge as she sealed a 4-1 cushion with an ace.
Rybakina sealed another break with backhand winner at corner of the baseline and served out the match with an ace in the next game.
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