Elena Rybakina solidified her claim to the world No.1 ranking by defeating two‑time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final that earned her first US Open trophy. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh emerged victorious in New York, beating the top‑seed and defending champion 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium floor. The win not only delivered Rybakina her maiden US Open title but also guaranteed her ascent to the top of the WTA rankings, a position she was already set to claim the following week after Sabalenka’s points fell short. The victory was especially sweet for Rybakina, who had entered the tournament battling doubts over a lingering ankle injury that many feared could derail her campaign before it even began.
Sabalenka entered the final with the historic ambition of becoming only the third woman in the Open Era to achieve a New York "three‑peat," joining legends Chris Evert and Serena Williams. Instead, she left the court in frustration, smashing her racket in a fit of anger after Rybakina secured the win, marking the Kazakh’s third Grand Slam triumph.
Rybakina’s path to the title was a testament to resilience. Earlier in the season she captured the Australian Open, added a Wimbledon victory in 2022, and now completed a remarkable US Open win despite the early‑season ankle concerns. She told Sky Sports Tennis, "Some magic is happening.
I was so unlucky with the injury before the start of the tournament. I was going day by day and my team stayed positive. Even at the beginning we didn’t know how it would turn out, so I’m super happy and very proud. I still can’t believe it." When asked about reaching the No.1 ranking, Rybakina said, "I was relieved to get to No.1 but I knew there were two more matches to push and it would be such a milestone winning the tournament here, so I stayed focused and tried not to get distracted by too many messages.
Everything was working today." The final itself unfolded as a classic showdown between the world’s top two players. Rybakina, dressed in a striking yellow‑and‑black ensemble reminiscent of a bee, displayed aggressive groundstrokes that contrasted with Sabalenka’s powerful serves.
The opening set saw Rybakina break early after Sabalenka double‑faulted, and the Belarusian received a code violation for tossing a ball into the stands in frustration. Sabalenka’s irritation grew with each missed opportunity, while Rybakina maintained a composed demeanor, tightening her grip on the first set and closing it out 6-4. The second set saw a dip in Rybakina’s intensity, allowing Sabalenka to rally with a spectacular drop shot and a backhand cross‑court winner, eventually forcing a decisive third set. In the third set, Sabalenka let out a triumphant roar after another backhand winner to secure the opening game, but Rybakina’s quality soon reasserted itself.
Using her red‑and‑blue framed racket, she surged ahead to a 5-2 lead and never looked back, sealing the match and leaving Sabalenka without a major title in 2026. Post‑match, Sabalenka addressed the crowd, saying, "The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech, but I’ll try my best.
Thank you everyone for all your support. I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year and an incredible result.
Well deserved. Enjoy it tonight and have fun. I hope I can win some titles! I wish I could have performed a little better, but there’s next year." She also explained her emotional outburst, noting, "It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in a Grand Slam final and you were aiming for a three‑peat.
I just wanted to let it go, because if I held it inside I wouldn’t be able to speak properly. I needed to release that aggression and disappointment." Former champions offered their analysis. Martina Navratilova observed, "We don’t usually see Sabalenka being bullied; she’s used to dictating play.
This time Rybakina turned the tables, attacking constantly. It wasn’t that Sabalenka lost; Rybakina earned the win. She’ll have to go back to the drawing board." Marion Bartoli added, "Her previous best at this venue was the fourth round, so to come in under the pressure of the world No.1 ranking and win the title is extraordinary.
She bounced back at the start of the third set like a champion, completely forgetting the second‑set hiccup. Her ability to press Sabalenka’s serve repeatedly put immense pressure on her opponent. The young lady’s ball‑striking is on another level; she can do anything on the court. The only Grand Slam missing from her résumé is Roland Garros." Laura Robson highlighted the mental toughness, stating, "We were excited about this final because both players thrive on big occasions.
Rybakina didn’t flinch despite limited crowd support. Even with a few double faults at the end, under pressure she kept attacking. The difference was Rybakata’s backhand, which was lights out from start to finish." With this victory, Rybakina not only secured her third Grand Slam title of the year but also completed three of the four majors, leaving only the French Open as the missing piece for a career Grand Slam.
Her season tally now includes a 41st top‑10 win, a 10th top‑10 win of 2026, and a 49th overall win for the year. The US Open final, broadcast live on Sky Sports and available for streaming via NOW and the Sky Sports app, showcased the intensity and drama that define the sport’s biggest stage.
As the tournament concluded, fans worldwide celebrated Rybakina’s ascent, while Sabalenka vowed to regroup and aim for future glory.