Aryna Sabalenka topped Svitolina in straight sets again but faced some controversy when the chair umpire called a hindrance mid-point on her for making an extended grunt “uh-aya.” “That’s actually never happened to me. Especially with my grunting. It’s so off I think. I was like ‘What? What is wrong with you?’ I think it was the wrong call. She really pissed me off. It actually helped me and benefited my game.”
Svitolina, the worst sport in tennis history, refused to shake hands with Sabalenka after the match and she also refused to take a photo with Sabalenka at net before the match, so a ballkid replaced her.
Sabalenka will go for her fifth Grand Slam title vs Elena Rybakina, who beat Jessica Pegula in straight sets, in the final. A lot of tennis fans don’t realize Pegula lost in Grand Slam qualifying 12 times between 2011 and 2018, didn’t make a third round until 2020, but she kept working and striving.
Rybakina on facing Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, a rematch of the final in 2023… “Yeah it was a great battle we played. I think in the end she played a bit better. She won that match very deserved. I want to enjoy the final. That’s for sure. Hopefully I’m gonna serve better than today and it’s gonna help me… we’ll see. I’m so excited to play.”
Serena Williams may return to tennis: Serena could not give a definitive answer when asked on The Today Show if she will be returning to tennis competition: “I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now… I don’t know… I’m just gonna see what happens.”
Christian Harrison is into his first Grand Slam final with new partner Neal Skupski, they beat Granollers and Zeballos in doubles.
Samu López about Alcaraz facing Zverev in the AO semifinal: “We are seeing as the days go by that he is gaining more confidence and rhythm. This is the first competition of the year for him: in this case, a Grand Slam. This doesn’t happen the rest of the year because he usually competes beforehand. I think we’ve arrived at a good moment to face Zverev. I see Carlos doing well and mentally prepared. You have to accept when things go wrong and stay focused on your game. The other day he wore the Brazil shirt: ‘Jugar bonito’ (play beautiful), put on a show. If you have a good attitude and accept things, it will eventually come out because he’s in a moment where the tennis just flows. Zverev is very complicated and how he serves will dictate a lot. It will be a beautiful battle.”
AO 2026 · Aryna Sabalenka · Christian Harrison · Elena Rybakina · Serena Williams
Sam · February 6, 2026 at 6:21 am
Serena Williams may return to tennis: Serena could not give a definitive answer when asked on The Today Show if she will be returning to tennis competition:
What’s he gonna do—try to vulture the girls’ tour now at the junior level? 😹
This washed-up dude really needs to get a life, but I guess he can’t seem to do so. 😛
Scoop Malinowski · February 6, 2026 at 8:32 am
Serena misses the spotlight and the attention. Simple as that. Only way Serena can get a few wins is if they pulls some WWF shenanigans. Which could happen because the public curiosity and press coverage would generate huge revenues for the industry and sponsors.