The Australian Open women’s final match is nearly here, with 22nd seed Elena Rybakina taking on fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka for the trophy on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena.

Rybakina advanced to the decider after defeating an in-form Victoria Azarenka in straight sets, continuing her impressive run during the tournament at Melbourne Park.

The Kazakh has dropped one set – against 2022 finalist Danielle Collins in the third round – and has arguably been one of the best players to watch throughout the two weeks.

Rybakina has knocked out world No.1 Iga Swiatek and 17th seed Jelena Ostapenko, giving herself a real chance at taking home her maiden Grand Slam at age 23.

However, her opponent, Sabalenka, will feel just as confident going into the decider.

The Belarusian has been a dominant force throughout the Australian Open, not giving up a single set in the six matches thus far.

Despite not going through as many seeded players, Sabalenka has been tested and is coming through with a full head of steam.

The Sporting News is providing live score updates, highlights and commentary for the match below.

Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka live score

	1st Set	2nd Set	3rd Set
[22] Elena Rybakina (KAZ)	6	1
[5] Aryna Sabalenka	4	3*

Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka live blog, updates, highlights

Second set, Rybakina serve, Sabalenka 3-1 Rybakina

• 0-15: Great ground strokes from Sabalenka, causing a forehand error from her opponent.
• 15-15: Huge forehand down the line from Rybakina claims the point.
• 30-15: Big first serve forces a shot to go long.
• 30-30: Played both sides of the court beautifully Sabalenka, finishes it off with a run-in volley.
• 30-40: Break point chance. Rybakina was stuck on the baseline and couldn’t dig it out over the net.
• 40-40: Ace. The Kazakh’s sixth ace of the night at the most opportune time.
• Adv Sabalenka: The fifth seed was all over that point and forced an error from her opponent. Another break point opportunity.
• Break, Sabalenka: She gets the break. Rybakina’s forehand goes well long. Looking to get on top here Sabalenka.

Second set, Sabalenka serve, Sabalenka 2-1 Rybakina

• 0-15: Forehand catches the net from Sabalenka.
• 15-15: Both players really trying to assert the power over the other. This time, Rybakina finds the net.
• 30-15: The Kazakh does it again. Not adjusting to the wide serve.
• 30-30: A bit too much on that from Sabalenka. Not far off the baseline.
• 40-30: Big first serve was too much for Rybakina. The fifth seed starting to convert more opportunities on her serve.
• 40-40: Forehand goes long from the Belarusian. Her 15th unforced error of the night.
• Adv Sabalenka: Ace. 189km/h up the tee. 
• Game, Sabalenka: Ace again. 175km/h catches the line on the way through. Eighth of the night.

Second set, Rybakina serve, Sabalenka 1-1 Rybakina

• 15-0: Rybakina somehow gets away with the point but an impressive drop-shot makes its way over the net.
• 15-15: Sabalenka starting to find her range, hitting her 15th winner of the night in the form of a forehand. Catches the line.
• 15-30: The fifth seed starting to put the pressure on her opponent. Great defence that turned into attack. Forced error from Rybakina.
• 30-30: Big serve causes a mistake.
• 40-30: Sabalenka’s return catches the net. Needs to make the most of those.
• 40-40: Huge return off the first serve from the Belarusian. Forehand winner.
• Adv Rybakina: Sabalenka just dragged that forehand wide. Rybakina finding it a little hard to close out her service game.
• Game, Rybakina: Big serve forces an error.

Second set, Sabalenka serve, Sabalenka 1-0 Rybakina

• 15-0: Ace. The impressing yet inconsistent serving continues.
• 15-15: Sabalenka’s backhand goes long. Just struggling to find her range.
• 15-30: Rybakina however is on, punching a forehand down the line for a winner.
• 15-40: The 22nd seed is manipulating the points a little to easy. Brings up two break point chances following a shot gone long from Sabalenka.
• 30-40: One break point saved. Big serve sets up an easy forehand cross court.
• 40-40: Impressive save. The Belarusian’s ball catches the line and causes an errant shot from Rybakina.
• Adv Sabalenka: Huge first serve forces an error.
• Game, Sabalenka: Massive from the fifth seed. Saved two break points and holds on. 

First set, Rybakina serve, Sabalenka 4-6 Rybakina

• 15-0: Impressive ground strokes from the pair but a slight miss from Sabalenka. Close call but wide.
• 30-0: The fifth seed finds the net off a backhand. Just needs to tighten up on the errors. Becoming crucial.
• 40-0: Top-spin forehand from Rybakina brings up three set points.
• Game, set, Rybakina: Big first serve does enough to claim the first set of the women’s final in 34 minutes.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Sabalenka 4-5 Rybakina

• 0-15: Well played by Rybakina, pushed the ball deep in the court and forced a passing shot to go long.
• 0-30: Double fault. Sabalenka’s fourth of the match. Went too hard on that one. 174km/h.
• 15-30: As she has done before, the Belarusian backs up the double fault with an excellent serve or shot. This time was a forehand winner.
• 15-40: The 22nd seed held firm and pushed her opponent deep in the court, forcing an errant backhand which finds the net. Two break points.
• 30-40: Brave second serve that received a few “ooos” from the crowd. Rybakina’s shot goes long. One break point saved.
• Break, Rybakina: Another double fault brings up the break. Rybakina to serve for the first set.

First set, Rybakina serve, Sabalenka 4-4 Rybakina

• 0-15: Excellent from Sabalenka. Turned defence into offence and finished with a smash.
• 0-30: Deep return from second serve cramps up Rybakina. Her backhand finds the net.
• 0-40: Three break points. Rybakina’s forehand just misses the line and goes wide, bringing up a chance for her opponent.
• 15-40: First serve forces an error.
• Break, Sabalenka: The Kazahk rushed to the net but was beaten by a beautiful passing backhand.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Sabalenka 3-4 Rybakina

• 0-15: Rybakina is playing some awesome tennis, hitting a forehand winner that her opponent couldn’t catch.
• 15-15: The Wimbledon champion’s forehand goes long. Very long.
• 15-30: Double fault. Sabalenka is feeling the pressure. Her third blemish thus far.
• 30-30: Ace. Backs it up with an 184km/h laser.
• 40-30: Longest rally of the night, with Rybakina coming out the loser. A cross-court backhand doesn’t make it over the net.
• Game, Sabalenka: Big second serve sets up a backhand winner.

First set, Rybakina serve, Sabalenka 2-4 Rybakina

• 15-0: Big first serve forces an error, Sabalenka finds the net.
• 30-0: Ace. Rybakina’s service game is really on point.
• 40-0: The 23-year-old is really pushing around Sabalenka, forcing her into difficult returning positions. Backhand goes wide.
• Game, Rybakina: Another Ace. Her fifth of the evening.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Sabalenka 2-3 Rybakina

• 15-0: Rybakina’s backhand goes wide.
• 30-0: Strong shots from Sabalenka, forces another mistake.
• 40-0: More big serves, with the Kazakh finding the net.
• 40-15: A bit overzealous from Sabalenka, backhand goes well long.
• Game, Sabalenka: Excellent shot from the server, finds a backhand winner.

First set, Rybakina serve, Sabalenka 1-3 Rybakina

• 15-0: Big first serve causes an error from the receiver.
• 30-0: Rybakina just getting on top early, showing a bit more poise while her opponent is struggling to keep the ball alive.
• 40-0: Another big serve from the Kazakh.
• 40-15: The 22nd seed finds the net with a forehand.
• Game, Rybakina: Great ground strokes from Rybakina. Consolidates the break.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Sabalenka 1-2 Rybakina

• 15-0: Ace from Sabalenka.
• 30-0: Big first serve causes error from Rybakina.
• 40-0: Ace. Big serve.
• 40-15: Rybakina gets on the board with a backhand winner.
• 40-30: The 22nd seed hits another winner, only a forehand this time.
• 40-40: Error from Sabalenka.
• Adv Rybakina: Double fault. Sabalenka’s second of the night. 
• Break, Rybakina: The 22nd seed finds the first break of the evening.

First set, Rybakina serve, Sabalenka 1-1 Rybakina

• 15-0: Sabalenka backhand goes long.
• 15-15: Rybakina fails to keep the forehand in, going past the baseline.
• 30-15: Ace. The 22nd seed matches her opponent. 184km/h up the middle.
• 40-15: Ace. Back-to-back. 175km/h out wide this time. 
• Game, Rybakina: Ace up the tee once more. Five aces in the first two games.

First set, Sabalenka serve, Sabalenka 1-0 Rybakina

• 0-15: Double fault to open the women’s final. Pressure already showing.
• 15-15: Ace. 176km/h up the tee. Fair response from Sabalenka.
• 30-15: Smashing forehand winner following another big first serve.
• 40-15: A shot from Rybakina goes wide, warranting a close call.
• Game, Sabalenka: Ace up the tee again. 189km/h this time. Strong hold from the favourite.

7:44pm AEDT: The women’s final will begin in one minute.

7:42pm AEDT: Can Rybakina add an Australian Open title to go with her Wimbledon trophy? Or will Sabalenka win her maiden Grand Slam?

7:40pm AEDT: Sabalenka is to serve. Both players are on the court, warming up.

7:38pm AEDT: The players have just entered the court and are about to do the coin toss.

Pre-match: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of the Australian Open final match between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka from Rod Laver Arena.

Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka head-to-head results

The pair have met on three occasions, with Sabalenka claiming victory every time.

Year	Winner	Score	Event	Round
2021	Aryna Sabalenka	6-3 4-6 6-3	Wimbledon	Round 4
2021	Aryna Sabalenka	6-4 4-6 6-3	Abu Dhabi Open	Quarter Final
2019	Aryna Sabalenka	6-3 1-6 6-1	Wuhan Open	Quarter Final

MORE: Australian Open schedule 2023: Full draws, TV coverage, channels & how to watch every tennis match

What time is Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka?

	UK	USA	Canada	Australia
Date	Saturday, January 27	Saturday, January 27	Saturday, January 27	Saturday, January 27
Time	8.30am BST	3.30am ET	3.30am ET	7.30pm AEDT

How to watch Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open

	UK	USA	Canada	Australia
TV channel	Eurosport 1 or 2	ESPN/ESPN2	TSN1/TSN5	Channel 9
Streaming	eurosport.uk	ESPN+ and fuboTV	TSN+	9Now/Stan Sport

Australia: The Nine Network is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Open 2023.

The Australian Open can also be watched on SmartTV’s 9Now and Stan Sport as well as 9Gem.

Fans can also stream the Australian Open through 9Now and Stan Sport.

UK: Coverage of the Australian Open 2023 will be broadcast in the UK live and exclusively on Eurosport.

Eurosport 1 and 2 will provide daily coverage of the action in Melbourne.

UK fans can also stream the Australian Open through the discovery+ app, the Eurosport app, or through eurosport.co.uk

USA: Tennis fans based in the United States will be able to watch this year’s Australian Open via ESPN. Matches will be broadcast on both ESPN and ESPN2.

ESPN+ and fuboTV will both offer live streaming during the 2023 Australian Open. FuboTV offers a free trial.

Canada: The 2023 Australian Open will be broadcast in Canada by TSN.

Matches will be shown on either TSN1 or TSN5.

Canadian fans are able to live stream the action from Melbourne Park on TSN+.

The full TSN+ broadcast schedule can be accessed here.  

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