SABALENKA CONFIDENT OF AVENGING LAST YEAR'S AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL DEFEAT

MELBOURNE, Jan 30 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Aryna Sabalenka insists she has learnt from last year's final heartache as she prepares for another shot at the Australian Open title, PA Media/dpa reported.

Sabalenka's consistency in 2025 was hugely impressive, with the world number one reaching the final at nine of the 16 events she contested.

But she won only four of those, with her losses including particularly painful close defeats here against Madison Keys and at the French Open against Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka did secure her fourth grand slam title at the US Open, beating Amanda Anisimova, and now she faces a rematch of her first grand slam final, when she defeated Elena Rybakina in Melbourne in a 2023 classic.

"I actually know what was wrong in all of those finals that I played and I lost, and I would say that last year was lots of lessons, lots of things to learn about myself, and definitely not going to happen again this season," said Sabalenka, who will play in her fourth consecutive Australian Open final.

"It's just a different mentality that I will try to have in each final that I play. I feel like those frustrations were coming from not agreeing with what's going on in the moment, and right now my mentality is I'm ready to do whatever. I'm ready to go out there and fight with what I have and do everything I can.

"I think, when I have this mentality, I play my best tennis, and I'm there, I'm fighting, I have my opportunities. So that's my approach to the finals this season."

Sabalenka has cruised through to the final but she will expect to have to step up her level against fifth seed Rybakina in what would be their 15th meeting.

Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 8-6 but they were tied at two apiece last year, with Rybakina winning their most recent meeting in the final of the WTA Finals in November.

It heralded a return to the very top for the big-hitting Kazakh, who will be looking to make it 10 straight wins against top-10 players.

"Her shots are heavy, deep, flat balls," said Sabalenka. "It's not easy to work with. We have a great history. She's an incredible player. I'm looking forward to battle this power."

Rybakina's demeanour could not be more at odds with her brutal hitting – the clenched fist she gave in reaction to beating Jessica Pegula in the semifinal constituted a wild show of emotion for the understated 26-year-old.

"She’s so chill," said Pegula. "She doesn’t really give you anything, and I think that’s hard sometimes. You’re not really sure if she’s upset or if she’s excited or what it is."

Like Sabalenka, Rybakina has yet to drop a set this fortnight, and is trying to carry her approach from Riyadh into this season.

"Of course, the WTA Finals gave a lot of confidence, because you played against top players," she said.

"I maintained my level. I played tough matches, very close matches. I won all of them. I think I could take only positives from that week."

Given Rybakina’s gifts, it is a surprise that this is her first slam final for three years, but there have been turbulent times off the court.

Having split from long-time coach Stefano Vukov last summer and then rehired him, the Croatian was suspended by the WTA following allegations of abuse towards her.

Vukov denied any wrongdoing and was supported by Rybakina, and the suspension was lifted last August on appeal.

"I think it’s a big help, because of course he knows me the best," said Rybakina. "With his advice on the court during the matches, it definitely makes a difference."

One key factor on Saturday is likely to be the potency of Rybakina's serve. She has hit 41 aces this tournament, comfortably the most of any woman, but in her last two matches, she has landed her first serve only 55 per cent of the time.

-- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa