Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina LIVE: Score, highlights, commentary from Australian Open semi-final

Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina LIVE: Score, highlights, commentary from Australian Open semi-final originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The second of the women’s Australian Open semi-finals features USA’s Jessica Pegula taking on Elena Rybakina to see who will meet Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Rybakina is a Wimbledon 2022 champion and 2023 Australian Open finalist, who will enter the contest as favourite.

However, Pegula has been on fire at Melbourne Park and has reached a hardcourt major final before – at US Open 2024.

With the H2H between both players split at 3-3, it’s expected to be a tough, tight contest at Rod Laver Arena.

The Sporting News is following the Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina match live, providing score updates and commentary as it happens.

MORE: Australian Open LIVE: Schedule, results, scores, updates for AO tennis 2026

Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina live score – Australian Open semi-final

*Denotes server

Jessica Pegula vs. Elena Rybakina updates, highlights and commentary

*Denotes server

BREAK RYBAKINA – Pegula* 3-6 5-6 Rybakina

The first two points are shared. 15-15. Pegula uses the drop shot, Rybakina gets there easy and her forehand clips the let cord and drops over. 15-30. A forehand winner for Rybakina and she has two break points. An unforced error for Pegula gifts the break back to Rybakina. She will serve for the match again.

BREAK PEGULA – Pegula 3-6 5-5 Rybakina*

Wow. Pegula hits a forehand winner right on the line. Can she make a move back into this match? And now a backhand winner from Pegula. 0-30. Rybakina under pressure. Pegula nets the return 15-30. An ace from Rybakina makes it 30-30. Break point for Pegula as Rybakina makes an unforced error into the net. Can she get it back on serve? Wow another unforced error and that’s the break. Back on serve.

Pegula* 3-6 4-5 Rybakina

Amazing return winner hit by Rybakina to start the game. She makes an unforced error next point though and it’s 15-15. An unreturned serve gets Pegula to 30-15. We go 30-30 as Pegula nets. Rybakina two points from the match. However, she makes an unforced error and Pegula has game point. The American fails to hold and it’s deuce. Pegula makes an unforced error and it’s a match point to Rybakina. Pegula goes on the attack, Rybakina hits long. Deuce. Another match point for Rybakina as Pegula hits long. But an unforced error from Rybakina extends the contest back to deuce. A third match point comes as Rybakina crushes a winner. But it is once again saved. Pegula eventually holds and she will make Rybakina serve it out.

Pegula 3-6 3-5 Rybakina*

Rybakina gets the first two points – one with a winner and the other forcing an error. 30-15. Pegula pull one point back but Rybakina makes it 40-15 with an unreturned serve. Pegula isn’t done yet. She belts a forehand winner. But a timely ace from Rybakina secures the hold.

Pegula* 3-6 3-4 Rybakina

Can Pegula keep fighting? She wins the first but loses the second point. Rybakina hits a forehand winner down the line. 15-30. Rybakina drives the backhand long. 30-30. Pegula on second serve comes to the net and makes a great volley to set up game point. She holds to keep the game alive.

Pegula 3-6 2-4 Rybakina*

Pegula defends bravely and eventually Rybakina hits long. But an ace from the Kazakh restores parity in the game. An unforced error from Pegula gets it to 30-15. A Rybakina ace sets up two points to consolidate the break. However one is saved as Rybakina hits a forehand long – unforced error. She wraps up the hold the next point however.

BREAK RYBAKINA – Pegula* 3-6 2-3 Rybakina

Pegula got the break but she hands the advantage straight back to Rybakina. Broken to 30. Is that the end for Pegula or can she fight back again?

BREAK PEGULA – Pegula 3-6 2-2 Rybakina*

Rybakina races through the first two points – the second an ace. Rybakina makes an unforced error and then a forced error as Pegula attacks the second serve. 30-30. Crunch time for Pegula. She gets her first break point as Rybakina makes a backhand unforced error. Pegula back in it as Rybakina hooks a backhand wide. Back on serve.

BREAK RYBAKINA – Pegula* 3-6 1-2 Rybakina

Great serve down the T from Pegula is unreturned. Excellent hustle from Rybakina and Pegula nets. Unreturned serve for Pegula but then she makes an unforced error and it’s 30-30. Pegula’s volley at the net is not good enough and Rybakina wins the point with a pass. Break point. Rybakina hits a clean winner off Pegula’s first serve and that’s a break.

Pegula 3-6 1-1 Rybakina*

Rybakina makes an unforced error to begin the game. But she wins the next two points with winners – one backhand, one forehand. 30-15. The game is on her racket. Rybakina  hits an unforced error into the net. Pressure point at 30-30. Huge serve down the T earns the service winner and game point. Rybakina creams a forehand winner and holds serve.

Pegula* 3-6 1-0 Rybakina

Solid start from Pegula. Two errors from Rybakina, one forced and one unforced makes it 30-0. Rybakina comes forward but slices long. 40-0. The Kazakh gets one back by forcing Pegula to hit long. But the American hits an ace and holds.

FIRST SET RYBAKINA – Pegula 3-6 Rybakina*

An unforced error from Rybakina gives Pegula a look here. But the American makes an unforced error to cancel out the advantage. An unreturned serve. 30-15. Two set points brought up for Rybakina as Pegula nets. The American hits a backhand winner to save one. But Rybakina hits a forehand winner to snare the set,

Pegula* 3-5 Rybakina

Ace for Pegula to start the game. A driving return from Rybakina forces Pegula to come up short. Rybakina just hooks the backhand wide. The Kazakh crunches a return winner. 30-30. Pegula second serve but Rybakina hits long. Pegula just manages to hold. Will make Rybakina serve it out.

Pegula 2-5 Rybakina*

Pegula puts the pressure on Rybakina by winning the first point with a cracking backhand. Great rally – Pegula blinks first and goes long. 15-15. Rybakina hits a forehand winner, forces a Pegula error and sets up two game points. 40-15. She holds.

Pegula* 2-4 Rybakina

The opening two points are shared 15-15. Rybakina attacks the second serve, gets the impetus and wins the point. 15-30. An unforced error from Pegula sees Rybakina with two double break points. Pegula saves one with an excellent defensive forehand that forces the error from Rybakina. And Pegula saves the second with Rybakina netting the return. Pegula gets advantage with another excellent serve. Rybakina makes the unforced error and holds. Saved two break points.

Pegula 1-4 Rybakina*

Rybakina looking for another dominant service game. A backhand winner underpins the first three points as she races to 40-0. The Kazakh holds with a curling forehand winner.

Pegula* 1-3 Rybakina

Pegula makes a great start in her quest to get on the board. She goes 30-0 up after two forced errors to Rybakina. The American advances to 40 first, gives a point back to Rybakina but seals the hold with an unforced error from Rybakina.

Pegula 0-3 Rybakina*

Unreturned serve gets first point to Rybakina. Her hitting is too powerful for Pegula at this stage. 30-0. Pegula gets one point back but Rybakina drives into Pegula’s backhand, forces the error and gets game point. Rybakina nets the volley after great hustle by Pegula. 40-30. Forehand winner for Pegula. Brilliant. Deuce. Pegula gets a look at a second serve but she bunts the backhand long. Rybakina holds as Pegula nets the return.

BREAK RYBAKINA – Pegula* 0-2 Rybakina

Rybakina makes an early move on Pegula. She gets to 0-30 by chasing down Pegula’s drop shot and forcing the American into the error. Pegula grinds her way back into the game with the next two points. 30-30. But two unforced errors from Rybakina seals an early break. Disappointing start for Pegula.

Pegula 0-1 Rybakina*

Pegula elects to receive – which has been her strength at AO 26. But Rybakina asserts her serving authority. Winning her opening service clinically to love. 

MATCH START – RYBAKINA TO SERVE

9:17 PM: Both players are on court and are about to start their warm-up.

9:16 PM: Rybakina and Pegula are making their way to Rod Laver Arena via the player tunnels.

9:15 PM: Sabalenka has cleared the court and now we are preparing for the Pegula-Rybakina match.

9:00 PM (local time): Sabalenka has just defeated Svitolina in straight sets. Pegula and Rybakina up next.

How to watch the Australian Open: TV channel, free-to-air guide in Australia

The Nine Network is the free-to-air home of the Australian Open in 2026.

All key matches will be broadcast free on TV across the Channel 9 and 9Gem channels.

Broadcast schedules will be determined on a daily basis but matches involving Australians and other notable players will typically receive free-to-air priority.

Channel 9 will serve as the main broadcast channel with 9Gem also providing day-long coverage.

Australian Open live stream: How to watch online in Australia 

Aussie fans can stream this year’s Australian Open on subscription service Stan Sport.

In 2026 every match will be streamed live and on demand in 4K, making it the perfect choice for dedicated tennis fans who want uninterrupted coverage.

Stan Sport will also feature tournament shoulder programming including the magazine-style show Grand Slam Daily streaming every morning.