Elena Rybakina’s remarkable form has continued into the 2026 tennis season.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion ended her 2025 campaign in emphatic style, defeating Aryna Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals for the first time in her career.
In her first match of 2026, Rybakina defeated China’s Zhang Shuai 6-3, 7-5 at the Brisbane International.
On Thursday, the 26-year-old continued to impress, defeating former world number two Paula Badosa 6-2, 6-2.
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Rybakina, who will play Karolina Muchova next, has equalled a personal record she set in 2023.
Elena Rybakina equals her career-best win streak
Rybakina’s victory against Badosa marked her 13th consecutive match win on the WTA Tour.
As per OptaAce, this run has equalled her career-best winning streak from 2023, between Dubai and Miami.
Rybakina’s run began at the Ningbo Open in October, where she won four matches on her way to the t
A week later, Rybakina won two matches at the Japan Open before withdrawing ahead of her semi-final match against Linda Noskova.
The 26-year-old was then flawless at the WTA Finals, winning all five of her matches en route to the title. Her 12th and 13th consecutive match wins have occurred in Brisbane.
Rybakina’s last loss came against Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 Wuhan Open quarter-finals. Sabalenka won the contest 6-3, 6-3.
Elena Rybakina’s 2023 win streak
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Rybakina’s 2023 win streak began with victories against Bianca Andreescu and Marie Bouzkova at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Rybakina then won the Indian Wells Masters, defeating Sofia Kenin, Paula Badosa, Varvara Gracheva, Karolina Muchova, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
The Kazakhstani player reached the final in Miami two weeks later, defeating Anna Kalinskaya, Paula Badosa, Elise Mertens, Martina Trevisan and Jessica Pegula.
Her 13-match win streak was ended by Petra Kvitova, who won the final 7-6, 6-2.
