Elena Rybakina battled past Jessica Pegula into her second Australian Open final on Thursday with the fifth seed setting up a repeat of her 2023 title match against Aryna Sabalenka.

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who is targeting a second grand slam crown, downed the American sixth seed 6-3, 7-6 in a one-hour, 40-minute arm-wrestle on Rod Laver Arena and has yet to drop a set all tournament.

She missed three match points on Pegula’s serve, then was broken twice while serving for the match.

In the tiebreaker, Pegula had two set points but was not able to convert and Rybakina finally clinched 29 minutes after her first match point.

“It was an epic second set,” Rybakina said. “I’m really glad I managed to win it. Jessica fought to the end. I’m just super happy to be in the final.”

Elena Rybakina (left) is congratulated by Jessica Pegula after their semi-final. Photo: AP

Sabalenka, who will be aiming for her third Melbourne title, powered into her fourth Australian Open final in a row with a dominant win over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a politically charged encounter.