Aryna Sabalenka boasts a winning record against her Australian Open final opponent, Elena Rybakina. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Aryna Sabalenka boasts a winning record against her Australian Open final opponent, Elena Rybakina. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAPHOW ARYNA SABALENKA AND ELENA RYBAKINA MATCH UP AHEAD OF THEIR AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL AT MELBOURNE PARK:1-ARYNA SABALENKA (BLR) leads 5-ELENA RYBAKINA (KAZ) 8-6 (2-0 at grand slams)2025 WTA Finals, hard, F, Rybakina 6-3 7-6 (7-0)2025 Wuhan, hard, QF, Sabalenka 6-3 6-32025 Cincinnati, hard, QF, Rybakina 6-1 6-42024 Berlin, grass, QF, Sabalenka 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6)2024 WTA Finals, hard, RR, Rybakina 6-4 3-6 6-12024 Madrid, clay, SF, Sabalenka 1-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5)2024 Brisbane, hard, F, Rybakina 6-0 6-32023 WTA Finals, hard, RR, Sabalenka 6-2 3-6 6-32023 Beijing, hard, QF, Rybakina 7-5 6-22023 Indian Wells, hard, F, Rybakina 7-6 (13-11) 6-42023 Australian Open, hard, F, Sabalenka 4-6 6-3 6-42021 Wimbledon, grass, R16, Sabalenka 6-3 4-6 6-32021 Abu Dhabi, hard, QF, Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-32021 Wuhan, hard, QF, Sabalenka 6-4 1-6 6-3ARYNA SABALENKAAge: 27Born: Minsk, BelarusLives: Miami, FloridaHeight: 182cmPlays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)Ranking: 1Career prize money: $US45,397,966Career titles: 22Career win-loss record: 500-200Grand slam titles: 4 (Australian Open 2023, 2024, US Open 2024, 2025)Grand slam win-loss record: 106-26Australian Open win-loss record: 34-6Best Australian Open results: champion 2023, 2024; runner-up 2025; finalist 2026Coach: Anton DubrovRoad to final:1st rd: bt Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaona (FRA) 6-4 6-12nd rd: bt Bai Zhuoxuan (CHN) 6-3 6-13rd rd: bt Anastasia Potapova (AUT) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (9-7)4th rd: bt 17-Victoria Mboko (CAN) 6-1 7-6 (7-1)QF: bt 29-Iva Jovic (USA) 6-3 6-0SF: bt 12-Elina Svitolina (UKR) 6-2 6-3ELENA RYBAKINAAge: 26Born: Moscow, RussiaLives: Dubai, United Arab EmiratesHeight: 184cmRanking: 5Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)Career prize money: $US24,476,357Career titles: 11Career win-loss record: 398-163Grand slam titles: 1 (Wimbledon 2022)Grand slam win-loss record: 65-22Australian Open win-loss record: 20-6Best Australian Open result: finalist 2023, 2026Coach: Stefano VukovRoad to final:1st rd: bt Kaja Juvan (SLO) 6-4 6-32nd rd: bt Varvara Gracheva (FRA) 7-5 6-23rd rd: bt Tereza Valentova (CZE) 6-2 6-34th rd: bt 21-Elise Mertens (BEL) 6-1 6-3QF: bt 2-Iga Swiatek (POL) 7-5 6-1SF: bt 6-Jessica Pegula (USA) 6-3 7-6 (9-7)