ASTANA – Elena Rybakina rose to third in the WTA world rankings after advancing to the final of the 2026 Australian Open, marking the third Grand Slam final of her career.
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates her semifinal victory at the 2026 Australian Open, securing a place in her third Grand Slam final. Photo credit: KTF
In the semifinals on Jan. 29, the 26-year-old defeated American Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), securing her place in the championship final.
Rybakina entered the tournament ranked fifth but advanced past Americans Amanda Anisimova and Coco Gauff during her run in Melbourne. She will become the world’s No. 3 player regardless of the final’s outcome – the highest ranking of her career, reported Kazakhstan Tennis Federation’s press service.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion previously reached the Australian Open final in 2023, where she fell to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. The two will meet again in the final on Jan. 31.
Kazakhstan celebrated another historic milestone in Melbourne as Zangar Nurlanuly became the country’s first tennis player to reach the Junior Australian Open singles semifinals.
The 17-year-old, ranked 12th in the ITF junior world rankings, defeated Hong Kong’s Kai Thompson (No. 48) in the quarterfinals on Jan. 30. After nearly three hours on court, Nurlanuly prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
Last year, he reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open Juniors and now adds another historic achievement for Kazakhstan’s tennis. He will face American Keaton Hance on Jan. 31.
