Elena Rybakina solidified her claim to the top of the women's tennis rankings by defeating two‑time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic final that handed her first US Open trophy and cemented her ascent to world No. 1. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh, who had already clinched the Australian Open earlier in the season and added a Wimbledon title to her résumé in 2022, entered Arthur Ashe Stadium with the knowledge that a victory would guarantee her the No.
1 ranking next week. She delivered, overcoming a resilient Sabalenka in three sets, 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2, and in doing so, she not only claimed her maiden US Open crown but also ensured she would replace Sabalenka at the summit of the WTA rankings. Sabalenka entered the match with the historic goal of becoming only the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open titles, joining legends Chris Evert and Serena Williams. The Belarusian’s aspirations were shattered as she watched Rybakina celebrate her third Grand Slam triumph of the year, while she was left fuming, smashing her racket in frustration.
The emotional outburst underscored the high stakes of the encounter and the pressure Sabalenka faced in trying to achieve a "three‑peat." Rybakina’s path to the final had been anything but smooth. An ankle injury that loomed before the tournament threatened to derail her campaign, but she managed the setback with a calm, methodical approach, relying on her team’s optimism and her own determination.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, she reflected on the ordeal: "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 were quite positive.
Even in the beginning we didn't know how it was going to be, so I'm super happy and very proud. I still can't believe it." The final itself was a showcase of top‑level tennis, featuring the two highest‑ranked players on the planet. Rybakina, dressed in a striking yellow‑and‑black ensemble reminiscent of a bee, unleashed a series of stinging groundstrokes that contrasted with Sabalenka’s powerful serving. The opening set saw Rybakina break early, capitalising on a double fault from Sabalenka and a subsequent code violation after the Belarusian hurled a ball into the stands.
Rybakina held her composure, tightening her grip on the first set and closing it out 6‑4. The second set tilted in Sabalenka’s favour as Rybakina’s level dipped momentarily. The Belarusian responded with a spectacular drop shot and a crisp backhand winner, eventually forcing a deciding set. However, the momentum shifted once more when Rybakina, wielding a red‑and‑blue framed racket, surged ahead 5‑2 in the third set.
Her aggressive play, especially her relentless attacks on Sabalenka’s serve, proved decisive. By the end of the match, Sabalenka was left without a major title for the 2026 season. After the victory, Rybakina expressed relief at reaching the No. 1 ranking but emphasized that her focus had always been on the tournament itself: "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 was focused and trying not to see too many messages.
Everything was working today." Sabalenka’s post‑match comments revealed her disappointment but also her respect for Rybakina’s performance. "The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech, but I'll try my very best. Thank you everyone.
Thank you for all your support. I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, an incredible result. Well deserved.
Enjoy it tonight, and have fun. I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess there's next year," she said, adding that she had smashed a racket in frustration, an act she later explained as a way to release the intense emotions of a lost final. Commentators from Sky Sports Tennis offered their analysis. Martina Navratilova noted that Sabalenka is typically the aggressor, but this time Rybakina dictated the play: "We do not see that.
Usually it's Sabalenka doing the bullying. I think that's why Sabalenka didn't know what to do. She's used to dictating, to putting people on the defence, on their heels and rushing shots.
Instead, it was all Rybakina doing that to her. And I did not expect that.
It's not that Sabalenka lost the match, Rybakina won it. She earned that win. It will be back to the drawing board for Sabalenka.
What will she do next time if Rybakina is playing this well?" Former champion Marion Bartoli highlighted the significance of Rybakina’s achievement: "Can you imagine that her previous best result here was the fourth round? That's extraordinary, to come here with all the pressure of the world, knowing she had the No 1 world ranking on her racket, to actually go on and win the title. The way she bounced back at the beginning of the third set tonight was absolutely extraordinary. She just kept moving forward, attacking Sabalenka's serve constantly, putting her under immense pressure.
The ball‑striking from that young lady is just something else. She's only missing Roland Garros now from completing a career Grand Slam." Laura Robson added that Rybakina’s composure under pressure was key: "We were excited about this final for good reason. Because of how well we know both of these players perform on big occasions like this.
For Rybakina, without even crowd support on her side, she just did not flinch. Yes, you could maybe point to the double faults at the end, but under so much pressure, and Sabalenka trying everything to make a comeback in that third set, she just kept going for her shots. It is just unbelievable how hard both of these players hit the ball. Their timing is phenomenal.
The difference today was the backhand from Rybakina, which was lights out from start to finish." With this victory, Rybakina secured her third Grand Slam title of the year, joining an elite group of players who have captured three of the four majors in a single season. The only tournament that still eludes her is the French Open, meaning she is now one win away from completing a career Grand Slam.
Her record for 2026 includes 41 top‑10 wins, 10 top‑10 victories this season, and a total of 49 wins overall, underscoring her dominance on the tour. The US Open final, broadcast live on Sky Sports and streamed on various platforms, will be remembered as a turning point in women's tennis, marking the rise of a new world No.
1 and the end of Sabalenka’s bid for a historic three‑peat. Rybakina’s blend of power, precision, and mental fortitude has set a new benchmark for the sport, and fans worldwide will be eager to see whether she can add the French Open to her collection and complete the coveted career Grand Slam.