Melbourne: Elena Rybakina battled past Jessica Pegula into the Australian Open final on Thursday with the fifth seed setting up a repeat of her 2023 title match against Aryna Sabalenka. It was an epic second set. Dubai-based Rybakina made a statement start, holding to love, then forced a break when a nervy Pegula slapped a backhand into the net. A netted volley from Pegula handed her a break point at 1-1 and a crushing return sealed an early advantage in set two. Rybakina kept her cool to reach only her third Grand Slam final.