How the First-Ranked Player Secured Her Australian Open Final Spot Two Years in a Row
12th-ranked Elina Svitolina of Ukraine booked herself a spot in another Grand Slam semifinal, her first at the Australian Open and fourth overall in her 16-year career. The 2021 Olympic bronze medalist and this year’s ASB Classic champion faced off against the top player in the world, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. This matchup marked the two players’ seventh meeting, with the Belarusian leading the head-to-head 5-1 after winning their last two encounters in 2025 in straight sets. Even with that record pointing in her favor, Sabalenka lost last year’s Australian Open final to American Madison Keys, the 2024 ASB champion, so plenty rode on this semifinal. That context explained the top-ranked player’s laser focus, as she delivered a level of play the Ukrainian simply had no answer for.
Player Strengths
Svitolina is incredibly quick; it seems as if her feet are moving before the ball is in play at times. That attribute supports her strong defensive game; she has the basis and flits all about the court, and solid shots to stay alive or dig out a win in the rally. She’s solid enough at the net, but the baseline is her strength, especially when she crowds the space, taking shots early to cut time for her opponents, as she did today. An incredible tactic, for rallies and largely service returns, it can rankle big hitters like the Belarusian, disrupting rhythm.
It’s well known and just clear to see in this match, especially, that Sabalenka is an absolute unit. The power and aggression she possesses, and the fact that she wields it so well, and to her advantage every time, is exactly why she hasn’t dropped a single set for this entire tournament on her journey to the final. Every part of her game is a weapon, and few can match her power for power, which Svitolina unwisely attempted. Unforced errors aren’t much of a problem if one’s winners are more; 29 winners to 15 unforced errors is a comfortable ratio. Her general groundstrokes are heavy, and yet, she has an extra gear she can kick into to end things. The same can be said for her serves, which helpfully keep her from being broken.
How Sabalenka Sealed Her Fourth Consecutive Australian Open Final
With all those factors, it was a tough battle, but slightly one-sided. For most points, Sabalenka commanded all; Svitolina was on the run, defending honorably, but returning short balls for her opponent to feast on. A few times, it was neutral, and the Ukrainian had the chance to plant her feet and face the court, making her own choices, not just defensive ones. It was a mixed bag; sometimes she got the chance to send her opponent sprawling, and other times, she overplayed her hand, too jumpy to strike something that neither she nor Sabalenka could handle. Rallies were not to be her domain today, and her serves, while steady enough, are not something to grant her any stellar advantage or free points, especially over the likes of the Belarusian.
Could Anything Have Changed?
It is always difficult to say, sometimes more than others. For Svitolina, it can be argued that the hour-and-16-minute match might have been extended had she dialed back her aggression and varied rally pace to disrupt Sabalenka’s rhythm. These would have been last-ditch adjustments, but potentially impactful ones. Sabalenka is on an exceptional run, and few players appear capable of stopping her. The last to do so was Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, and that same opponent awaits her again in the final two days from now. It will be a repeat of the 2023 Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won, and the head-to-head between the two stands at 8-6 in favor of the Belarusian.
