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 awarded her first US Open title. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh displayed poise and power on Arthur Ashe Stadium, edging the top‑seed and defending champion 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2 to claim the trophy and confirm her ascent to the summit of women's tennis.
The victory not only marked Rybakina’s inaugural US Open triumph but also guaranteed her a place atop the WTA rankings beginning the following week, as she was already slated to overtake Sabalenka based on points accrued throughout the season. The win came after a dramatic week that saw the Kazakh player overcome an ankle problem that had threatened to derail her campaign before the tournament even began. Despite the early setback, she shrugged off the injury, stayed focused, and added the US Open crown to her impressive résumé, which already included an Australian Open title earlier in the year and a Wimbledon victory in 2022.
Sabalenka entered the final with the prospect 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 a fit of frustration, smashing her racket into pieces after Rybakina celebrated her third Grand Slam title. The Belarusian’s emotions were understandable; the loss meant she finished the season without any major trophies, a stark contrast to Rybakina’s meteoric rise. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, a visibly elated Rybakina reflected on the journey: "Some magic is happening.
I was so unlucky with the injury before the start of the tournament. I took it day by day, and my team stayed positive.
We didn’t know how things would turn out, so I’m super happy and proud. I still can’t believe it." Her words captured the mixture of relief and disbelief that accompanied the historic achievement. The final itself had all the ingredients of a classic showdown between the world’s two highest‑ranked players. Rybakina arrived in a striking yellow‑and‑black ensemble reminiscent of a bee, a visual cue that foreshadowed the sting she would deliver with her groundstrokes.
Sabalenka, in her characteristic aggressive style, opened the match by breaking Rybakina’s serve early, taking a 3‑2 lead after a double fault from the Kazakh and immediately earning a code violation for firing a ball into the stands. Throughout the first set, Rybakina’s composure contrasted sharply with Sabalenka’s mounting irritation.
The Kazakh’s calm demeanor allowed her to tighten her grip on the opening set, eventually sealing it 6‑4. In the second set, Sabalenka found a brief resurgence, showcasing a beautiful drop shot and a crisp backhand cross‑court winner that forced a deciding set. However, the Belarusian’s momentum proved short‑lived; she struggled with consistency, and her frustration was evident with each missed opportunity.
The third set saw Rybakina dominate, pulling ahead to a commanding 5‑2 lead before closing out the match. Her racket, framed in red and blue, became a symbol of the quality and precision she displayed throughout the encounter. When the final point was won, Sabalenka broke down, smashing a ball into the crowd and destroying her racket in a fit of anger. In her post‑match press conference, she admitted, "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 needed to let it out; otherwise I would have been unable to speak." Former champions and analysts offered their perspectives on the result. Martina Navratilova noted that Sabalenka was unaccustomed to being on the defensive, saying, "Usually it’s Sabalenka doing the bullying.
This time it was Rybakina dictating the play, and I didn’t expect that. It will be back to the drawing board for Sabalenka." Marion Bartoli highlighted the significance of Rybakina’s achievement, especially given her previous best at the US Open was only a fourth‑round appearance. "To come in with the world’s No. 1 ranking on your racket and win the title is extraordinary.
She bounced back brilliantly at the start of the third set, forgetting the hiccup in the second. Her ball‑striking is something else; she can do anything on the court," Bartoli said.
Laura Robson added that Rybakina’s backhand was "lights out" and that the Kazakh never flinched despite the lack of crowd support. "Both players hit the ball incredibly hard, but Rybakina’s backhand gave her the edge," she observed.
With this victory, Rybakina now holds three of the four Grand Slam titles for 2026, the only one missing being the French Open. A win at Roland Garros would complete a career Grand Slam, a milestone she is clearly eager to pursue.
Her record this season includes 41 top‑10 wins, 10 top‑10 victories in 2026 alone, and a total of 49 wins for the year, underscoring her consistency and dominance across surfaces. The US Open final, broadcast live on Sky Sports, marked the culmination of a season where Rybakina demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an unrelenting competitive spirit. Her ascent to the top of the rankings, combined with a third Grand Slam crown, signals the arrival of a new force in women's tennis—one that fans and rivals alike will watch closely as she aims to add the French Open to her growing list of achievements.