Aryna Sabalenka powered into her fourth successive Australian Open final on Thursday, overwhelming Elina Svitolina with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 triumph at Rod Laver Arena.
The world number one required just 76 minutes to dispatch the twelfth seed, continuing her remarkable run at Melbourne Park without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
With this victory, the Belarusian joins legendary players Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Hingis in reaching four consecutive finals at the season’s opening Grand Slam.
Sabalenka, who fell to Madison Keys in last year’s decider, now has the opportunity to claim her third Melbourne Park crown when she contests Saturday’s final.
The match concluded without the customary handshake between the two competitors, a decision Tennis Australia announced shortly before play commenced, making for a frosty moment.
“At the conclusion of the match, there will be no handshake between the players,” the tournament organisers stated.
“We appreciate your respect for both athletes during and following the match.”
The moment Aryna Sabalenka reached her 4th consecutive Australian Open final.
This woman has reached the final of every single Grand Slam played on a hard court since Australian Open 2023.
Thatâs SEVEN straight hard court finals.
What a player. đ
â The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 29, 2026
This arrangement reflects the broader tensions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine, with Ukrainian players consistently declining to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents.
Svitolina first refused to acknowledge Sabalenka following their 2023 French Open quarter-final encounter.
The Ukrainian also declined to participate in the traditional pre-match photograph alongside her opponent, with both players instead posing separately at the net with a ball girl.
Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PA
Sabalenka produced a devastating display of power tennis, striking 28 winners across the encounter, including an extraordinary 19 in the opening set alone.
The top seed’s only moment of visible frustration came when holding a 2-1 advantage, as officials penalised her for hindrance due to grunting after striking the ball.
Despite a video review, the decision stood, prompting a thumbs-down gesture from the fiery Belarusian.
Svitolina, who had been performing superbly throughout the fortnight, managed to break serve at the start of the second set and established a 2-0 lead as her opponent struggled with unforced errors.
However, Sabalenka swiftly regained her composure, winning five consecutive games to seize control once more.
The Belarusian expressed disbelief at her achievement following the match.
Aryna Sabalenka was delighted after reaching the final of the Australian Open
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GETTY
“I cannot believe that honestly and that’s an incredible achievement, but the job’s not done yet,” Sabalenka said.
She offered warm words for her defeated opponent despite the frosty circumstances surrounding their encounter.
“Super happy with the win. She’s a super tough opponent, was playing incredible tennis throughout the whole week and happy to be through,” the world number one added.
Sabalenka will now await the winner of Thursday night’s second semi-final between world number six Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Elena Rybakina to determine her opponent in Saturday’s championship match.
