Australian Open final LIVE: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka latest score and updates

Sabalenka was broken back immediately in the first set, and comes under pressure straight away in the second. A nervy game leads to deuce, where Sabalenka throws in a costly double fault to bring up break point.

But from there Sabalenka commits to the backhand down the line and steps in to power the winner. Rybakina hangs in, but Sabalenka powers a smash and then an ace to escape with the hold.

She is up for the battle.

Breakthrough in the second set, in what was Sabalenka’s best return game of the match. Sabalenka steadies with good depth to the Rybakina baseline, setting up break point at 30-40. Rybakina finds the ace out wide but Sabalenka sets up another opportunity, and this time takes it as Sabalenka draws the error from Rybakina.

Sabalenka looked to be in a comfortable position at 40-15, but winners are followed by errors and it’s never quite smooth-sailing. Still, she is responding well enough. She fires a couple of aces in a row to stay in front in the set.

Rybakina plays a lovely drop shot at the net but it’s Sabalenka who asks the questions in the 23-year-old’s first service game. Sabalenka moves Rybakina with a crosscourt winner and gets to deuce with another winner off the return, but Rybakina can close it out with the serve out wide.

Sabalenka is faced with further pressure right from the off as the second set begins, with Rybakina arrowing the returns. It gets her to 15-40 and allows her a chance at an opening break, but Sabalenka produces the first serves to get out of trouble.

That is brilliant from Rybakina. She serves out the first set to love and takes a commanding position in this Australian Open women’s final. It’s the first set Sabalenka has dropped all tournament, but Rybakina is a different level when she is on this form.

The first serve deserts Sabalenka and a double faults forces her to look at 0-30, but she responds well with a forehand down the line.

But Rybakina finds her depth again from the baseline and pushes Sabalenka into netting on the backhand, as she stretched.

Two break points: Rybakina attacks the second serve, but just misses long on the forehand.

Sabalenka goes big on the second serve – but long! Another double fault and Rybakina will serve for the set next!

Sabalenka plays two excellent backhands crosscourt and deep to the Rybakina backhand. She puts the smash away on the first point before Rybakina nets on the second.

A chance at 0-30, and Sabalenka again hurries Rybakina by taking the return early, and Rybakina fires wide.

Three break points: and Sabalenka gets back on serve on the second! Rybakina played a backhand slice from midcourt and Sabalenka produces the backhand winner down the line!

Sabalenka fires an ace out wide on 15-30, which was good timing after the double fault. Rybakina works herself into the rally at 30-30, but Sabalenka changes it up with the forehand down the line to force Rybakina to net.

And that’s an important hold. Sabalenka powers a backhand winner off the short return from Rybakina.

You’d still say both Rybakina and Sabalenka are playing well.

Rybakina is such a smooth player when in full flow. This has been an ice-cool start, as she holds to love to immediately put the pressure back on Sabalenka.