That was the lesser of two disappointments for the Belarusian on Thursday, as Azarenka's bid for a third title at Melbourne Park ended with some regret at her missed chances against 22nd seed Rybakina.
Sofia Kenin, defending champion Belinda Bencic and third seed Elina Svitolina made swift exits at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Novak Djokovic produced a superhuman effort to subdue Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
Swiatek is positioned to face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals.
Five top contenders for the women's title at the US Open.
Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the 16th time but it proved a hard day's work at his Centre Court office.
Third seed Alexander Zverev eased past home favourite Ugo Humbert
Iga Swiatek will be looking to join a select band of players who have lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup four times
Holger Rune powered past Argentine qualifier Genaro Alberto Olivieri 6-4 6-1 6-3 on Saturday to reach the French Open fourth round.
Factbox on Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, who beat China's Zheng Qinwen in the Australian Open final on Saturday
World No 1 Iga Swiatek overcame a strong early challenge from former champion Sofia Kenin to reach the second round of the Australian Open
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, are a handful of contenders ready to swoop in
Novak Djokovic reclaimed the world number one ranking from Carlos Alcaraz
World number one Iga Swiatek defeated American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-0 in just over an hour to defend her Qatar Open title on Saturday.
Iga Swiatek will have her task cut out as she aims to pick up her third title in four years in Paris.
Wild card Caroline Wozniacki, another former champion and returning mother, will play 20th seed Magda Linette.
A crestfallen Ons Jabeur described Saturday's 6-4, 6-4 defeat by the unseeded Marketa Vondrousova in the Wimbledon singles final as the most painful of her career.
Five top contenders for the women's title at the French Open, which starts on Sunday.
Australian Open set a Grand Slam attendance record with more than 900,000 spectators visiting over three weeks
Here is what you need to know about the prize pot on offer at Wimbledon:
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur believes the lessons she learned in two Grand Slam final defeats will stand her in good stead for Saturday's Wimbledon showdown with unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova.
Ahead of this season's Wimbledon, here's a look at the prize money.
Novak Djokovic eased into the last four with a commanding performance over Japan's Kei Nishikori but world number two Daniil Medvedev bowed out of the men's singles at the Tokyo Olympics.
Big-serving Elena Rybakina will aim to retain her title but other players have emerged as serious contenders:
'I'm just glad to overcome today's challenge in straight sets and move on.'
Iga Swiatek used an outfit change to help her reset after a poor start and beat China's Zheng Qinwen.
Aryna Sabalenka rose above geopolitical tumult to become the first player to claim a Grand Slam title as a neutral at the Australian Open.
Ons Jabeur stands on the verge of history with a maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon within her grasp but in Czech surprise package Marketa Vondrousova she faces a final opponent who could tear up the script and prolong her wait.
Local favourite Thompson saved three match points before prevailing 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 against Nadal, who was playing his first tournament after nearly a year out with a hip injury.
This year's US Open runs from Aug. 28-Sept. 10.
A frustrated Coco Gauff broke down in tears after her 7-5, 6-3 defeat by Jelena Ostapenko at the Australian Open on Sunday.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz faces a tough path to a maiden French Open title after being placed in the same half of the draw as 22-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Ons Jabeur struggled to hold back the tears after losing a second consecutive Grand Slam final on Saturday, but while the Tunisian said her US Open defeat to Iga Swiatek was tough to take she vowed to come back swinging.
For the first time since 2004, neither Novak Djokovic nor the injured Rafael Nadal will be in the Rome final.
Indian tennis ace Leander Paes and his Swiss partner Martina Hingis crashed out of the mixed doubles competition of the Australian Open with a straight-set defeat in the quarter-finals, in Melbourne, on Thursday.
'There are a number of unique challenges elite tennis players have to face. The game is gladiatorial in nature with nowhere for players to hide and no team mate or manager to help deflect the pressure.'
Images from Day 8 of the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday.
Images from Day 10 of the 2021 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Tuesday.
Madison Keys swept past Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-4 at the Cincinnati Open on Friday, setting up a semi-final clash with Petra Kvitova after the Czech defeated Ajla Tomljanovic.
Italian seventh seed Jannik Sinner beat Tommy Paul to set up a Canadian Open final clash with Australia's Alex De Minaur
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