Aus Open Day 14 - Rybakina’s glory but did Sabalenka blow it?

The Tennis Podcast

David Law

Wimbledon, Sports, Tennis, Sports & Recreation

4.5 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 31 January 2026

⏱️ 76 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

At the end of women’s final night, Catherine, David and Matt discuss Elena Rybakina’s 6-4 4-6 6-4 win over Aryna Sabalenka as she became a two-time major champion.

Part one - All the talking points from the women’s final including Rybakina’s incredible start and finish, how Sabalenka lost her 3-0 lead in the decider, whether or not Sabalenka has a Grand Slam finals problem, the optics of Stefano Vukov receiving a trophy, and what this win could mean for Rybakina’s career.

Part two (39:59) - A round up of all the doubles and wheelchair results, including an emotional Niels Vink completing the career Grand Slam, and our in-person Tokito Oda experience.

Part three (58:06) - Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic preview and predictions.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and welcome to the tennis podcast coming to you from Melbourne Park on day 14 of the Australian Open, otherwise known as women's singles final night, a night that belongs to Elena
0:23.4	Rabakina, who was crowned champion here a couple of hours ago on the Rodlava Arena after a 6-4-4-6-4 victory
0:32.0	over the world number one Arena Sabalenko. Matt, you were right, these these things do catch we got another great match maybe
0:41.2	not an all-timer but the sort of competitive high stakes result hanging in the balance until the
0:48.0	very last minute match that we would all have sworn off our arms for a couple of days ago
0:53.0	absolutely yeah i think that's important perspective because have sworn off our arms for a couple of days ago.
0:55.5	Absolutely, yeah.
1:01.8	I think that's important perspective because, you know, I think yesterday was so dramatic for the men's semi-finals that arguably this match could have got a bit lost in that
1:09.1	and maybe did get a bit lost in that. But it was a really
1:14.2	compelling tennis match, I thought, in the balance until the final moment, you had a player
1:20.8	in Rabatkin and make a brilliant start and take a lead. Sabalenko come back and end up building
1:26.6	a lead herself. But then Rabatkinna coming on
1:29.9	strong and closing it out in a way, Rabatkinna style with a fantastic ace. And it leaves us with
1:37.6	some talking points as well, you know, what happened to Arena Sabalenko down the stretch. And of course, what does this mean for Elena Rabakana?
1:46.5	The question we always ask after a major final.
1:50.3	And I think maybe it wasn't quite as much of a sort of wow match
1:54.8	as their Australian Open Final here a few years ago.
1:58.7	I think the quality of that one was outrageously good, but this was
2:02.8	still a very high quality match from both. And yeah, as you said, a really good way to finish the
2:11.1	women's tournament and the best match we've had in the women's draw for quite a number of days I would say so yeah I
2:19.8	really enjoyed it I think the biggest debate point from this match will be did arena
2:26.0	sabalenko throw it away obviously she was three love up in in the third set we will we will
	...

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