09:53 AM
Rybakina* 6-4, 1-4 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Rybakina moves forehand to put pressure on Sabalenka, who has a look at a forehand pass but the ball drops in the tramlines, 15-30. Sabalenka stays calm and flicks a backhand winner down the line, 40-30.
Rybakina rushes Sabalenka into a forehand error, deuce. Double fault Sabalnka, break point Rybakina. Big 'come on' from Sabalenka as she drills a backhand down the line for a winner, deuce.
Sabalenka keeps her nerve to crash down an ace and consolidate the break.
09:45 AM
Rybakina 6-4, 1-3 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)
A couple of sloppy errors from Rybakina offer Sabalenka a rare chance at a break. But Rybakina responds with an ace, deuce.
Rybakina forehand into the net, second break point. Deep Sabalenka backhand return and Rybakina pushes her forehand long.
Sabalenka breaks out of nowhere really.
09:41 AM
Latest update from Simon Briggs on Rod Laver Arena
09:39 AM
Rybakina* 6-4, 1-2 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Errors from Sabalenka are predominantly coming from the forehand side. Her backhand is a lot more solid.
Two loose forehands by Sabalenka make it deuce. But back-to-back aces by the Belarusian allow her to hold serve.
09:35 AM
Rybakina 6-4, 1-1 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)
Lovely feel on a forehand drop shot from Rybakina, 15-0. Sabalenka forehand winner, 15-15. Huge hit on the backhand side by Sabalenka and Rybakina can't get the ball back in play, 15-30.
Sabalenka gets a look at a second serve by Rybakina but nets, 40-30. Sabalenka forehand winner, deuce.
Rybakina holds serve when Sabalenka fails to make a forehand return.
09:29 AM
Second set: Rybakina* 6-4, 0-1 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka starts the set with an ace but falls to 15-30 when Rybakina blasts a backhand winner cross court.
Hurried and under pressure, Sabalenka puts a forehand long, two break points.
Sabalenka saves the first with a forehand winner. Sabalenka catches the line with a forehand and Rybakina mis-hits a forehand wide, deuce.
Critical service hold secured by Sabalenka after a series of big forehands.
09:23 AM
Latest update from Simon Briggs on Rod Laver Arena
09:22 AM
Twitter reacts
09:20 AM
Rybakina 6-4 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)
Only 30 mins gone but Rybakina will now serve for the set.
Sabalenka sends a backhand into the tramlines, 15-0. Sabalenka then nets a backhand while under pressure, 30-0.
Too good from Rybakina as she wrong-foots Sabalenka and draws a forehand error.
First set goes to Rybakina after Sabalenka tamely nets a forehand return.
09:16 AM
Rybakina* 5-4 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Double fault by Sabalenka, her fourth of the match, 0-30. Rybakina gets back on track with a forehand winner down the line, 15-30.
Rybakina pushes Sabalenka back with a deep backhand and Sabalenka nets, two break points.
Sabalenka finds the line with her second serve and Rybakina sends a forehand return long, 40-30.
Sabalenka double faults again and Rybakina breaks again.
09:12 AM
Rybakina 4-4 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)
Half chance from Sabalenka after a deep return results in a backhand into the net by Rybakina, 0-30. Another good return by Sabalenka and Rybakina puts a forehand into the tramlines, three break points.
Rybakina saves the first. But not the second as Rybakina approaches the net and is passed by a backhand down the line from Sabalenka, who breaks.
Game on!
09:08 AM
Rybakina* 4-3 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Double fault by Sabalenka, 15-30. That was a tight looking shot. But she responds with an ace. Big point coming up.
Longest rally of the match, Rybakina is on top with Sabalenka scrambling but the Wimbledon champion nets a backhand, 40-30. Big roar from Sabalenka.
Sabalenka duly holds with a backhand winner down the line. She had to hold serve there.
09:05 AM
Latest update from Simon Briggs on Rod Laver Arena
09:04 AM
Rybakina 4-2 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)
Ace No 4 for Rybakina, 30-0. Once the rallies develop Sabalenka isn't winning many of them. Rybakina is taking charge of them consistently.
Ace No 5 for Rybakina and she holds. Sabalenka doesn't have the answers at this stage of the match.
09:01 AM
Rybakina* 3-2 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Better from Sabalenka as she finds her first serve which gives her a few quick points. And she holds serve with a huge backhand winner into the corner.
08:59 AM
Rybakina 3-1 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)
Rybakina's turn to race to 40-0 on serve. Sabalenka gets one point back but Rybakina rushes her into a backhand error and consolidates the break.
08:56 AM
Latest update from Simon Briggs on Rod Laver Arena
08:55 AM
Rybakina* 2-1 Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
I have a feeling I'll be writing 'ace' quite a lot today. Sabalenka hits two more in this game to help her get to 40-0.
Rybakina shows Sabalenka what will happen when she doesn't get her first serve into play by drilling a backhand return down the line.
Nice rally between the players and Rybakina makes the forehand pass, 40-30. Rybakina gets another look at a second serve and her return rushes Sabalenka into sending a backhand wide, deuce.
Sabalenka double fault, break point Rybakina. Sabalenka forehand into the tramlines and Rybakina breaks.
Terrible game by Sabalenka but the pressure from Rybakina on return proved telling.
08:50 AM
Rybakina 1-1 Sabalenka* (*denotes next server)
Rybakina gets her first ace of the day, 30-15. Another ace takes her to 40-15. And one more gives her the game.
Wow.
08:47 AM
First set: Elena Rybakina* 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka (*denotes next server)
Groans from the crowd as Sabalenka hits a double fault on the opening point. But to her credit, she responds with an ace and a forehand winner, 30-15.
Another ace from Sabalenka and she holds. Good start by the Belarusian.
08:45 AM
Everything to play for!
08:41 AM
HERE WE GO
The players are ready, the crowd are poised. Rybakina comes onto court first followed by Sabalenka, who slightly looks the more nervous.
Sabalenka wins the coin toss and opts serve fast.
08:38 AM
What is the Australian Open prize money?
The prize pool is $76.5 million, up 3.4 per cent on 2022.
The singles champions will each take home $2.975 million, so just over £2.47 million.
08:31 AM
Former champ returns
Lovely moment ahead of the final as home hero and 2022 Australian Open champion Ashleigh Barty comes onto court with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy.
08:28 AM
Laura Robson previews the final
Watch every match from the Australian Open live and exclusive on discovery+ and Eurosport
08:23 AM
Head to head
Sabalenka leads it 3-0.
Their last meeting was at Wimbledon 2021 in round four when Sabalenka beat Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
08:07 AM
Prediction time!
Who wins it?
07:50 AM
Women's final day
Good morning and welcome to coverage of the 2023 Australian Open women's final from Melbourne.
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina face Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in what promises to be a showcase of power hitting from the baseline.
Rybakina has beaten world No 1 Iga Swiatek, two-time champion Victoria Azarenka and 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko and Danielle Collins on her way to the final.
"It's going to be tough battle," Rybakina said. "I think maybe I will not have to serve that big, that fast, so it doesn't really matter the speed. It's important to have a good placement on the serve. In these conditions, to serve full, full power, it's not easy. The ball is not really going.
"Yeah, the same on the baseline. Just to play more deeper and do the same thing, try to come forward, just to expect maybe longer rallies than usual."
For Sabalenka, this will be her first grand slam final. So far, she has won a tournament-high 89 per cent of her service games, holding serve in 49 of 55, meaning she has been broken an average of just once per match.
Nerves are sure to play a part in the final but Sabalenka is confident she can keep her cool.
"To be honest, I think I'm not going to do something extra," she said. "Like, I think that's okay to feel little bit nervous. It's a big tournament, big final. If you're going to start trying to do something about that, it's going to become bigger, you know? I'll just leave it like that. It's okay to feel nervous.
"About the match, yeah, she's playing great tennis, serving well. I just have to be there and have to, again, work for it and put her under pressure."
Stay with us for all the build-up ahead of the 8.30am start.
