Rybakina Sets Sights on Third Round as Gracheva Awaits in Melbourne
MELBOURNE, 22 January 2026 – Fifth seed Elena Rybakina continues her Australian Open campaign today, facing France’s Varvara Gracheva in a highly anticipated second-round clash at Rod Laver Arena. The match, scheduled for 9:40 am local time, sees the 2023 finalist looking to build on a commanding first-round performance where her powerful serve was in full effect.
Commanding Opener Sets the Tone
The Kazakh star, currently ranked fifth in the world, began her tournament in emphatic fashion on Tuesday 20 January, dispatching Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 6-4, 6-3. The victory extended her perfect record in Australian Open first-round matches to 7-0. Rybakina’s serve proved the decisive weapon, winning 83% of her first-serve points and saving her from facing a single break point until the final game of the match.
“No matter who is on the other side, if the serve is going, then it’s perfect,” Rybakina said post-match. “I’m happy with the serve, it really worked today.” The 2022 Wimbledon champion did note areas for improvement, stating she aims to “be better in the first few shots of the rally.”
Second-Round Challenge: A Familiar Foe
Standing between Rybakina and the third round is World No. 77 Varvara Gracheva. The French player advanced after a three-set battle against Viktorija Golubic (6-1, 2-6, 6-1). History favours the seed heavily; Rybakina holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against Gracheva, having conceded just three games across their two previous meetings. Their most recent encounter was a 6-2, 6-1 victory for Rybakina in the 2022 St. Petersburg round of 32.
Despite the lopsided record, Rybakina is taking nothing for granted. “We played before. I think she’s a dangerous player. She can play really well on the baseline. She can get good serves,” the fifth seed cautioned.
Elena Rybakina: Key Facts & Form
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current WTA Ranking | 5 |
| Australian Open Best Result | Finalist (2023) |
| 2026 Year-to-Date Record | 3 Wins – 1 Loss |
| Career Prize Money (USD) | Approx. $24.48 million (A$36.1 million*) |
| Career Titles | 11 WTA Tour Singles Titles |
| Height | 184 cm |
*Converted at an approximate rate of 1 USD = 1.475 AUD.
Rybakina arrives in Melbourne with strong late-season form from 2025, having capped off the year by winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh. She carries a reputation as one of the tour’s most formidable servers, averaging 7.2 aces per match over the last 52 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Elena Rybakina playing at the Australian Open?
Elena Rybakina is scheduled to play her second-round match against Varvara Gracheva on Thursday 22 January 2026 at 9:40 am local Melbourne time. The match will be held on Rod Laver Arena.
What is Rybakina’s head-to-head record against Varvara Gracheva?
Rybakina leads the head-to-head series 2-0. She won their only previous hard-court meeting in St. Petersburg in 2022 by a score of 6-2, 6-1.
How did Rybakina perform in the first round?
She won convincingly, defeating Kaja Juvan of Slovenia 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 12 minutes. Her serve was particularly effective, and she did not face a break point until the final game of the match.
What is Rybakina’s best result at the Australian Open?
Her best performance was a runner-up finish in 2023, where she lost a tight three-set final to Aryna Sabalenka.