Elena Rybakina solidified her claim as the world’s top‑ranked female player by defeating two‑time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic final that awarded her a first US Open title and marked a pivotal moment in her ascent to the No.1 ranking. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh emerged victorious over the tournament’s top seed and defending champion, prevailing 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2 on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium court in New York.
The win not only gave Rybakina her maiden US Open trophy but also guaranteed that she would replace Sabalenka as the world No.1 in the WTA rankings the following week, a shift that had already been confirmed by the points table. In doing so, she joined an elite group of players who have claimed the year‑end No.1 spot by winning a Grand Slam in the same season.
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," a feat previously accomplished by legends Chris Evert and Serena Williams. The Belarusian’s hopes were dashed as she was forced to sit down in defeat, visibly upset, and at one point shattered her racket in a burst of frustration.
Rybakina, meanwhile, celebrated her third career Grand Slam title, adding the US Open to her Australian Open triumph earlier in the year and her Wimbledon victory in 2022. The Kazakh’s road to the final was not without obstacles. An ankle injury that surfaced during the tournament’s early days threatened to derail her campaign.
Rybakina downplayed the concern, describing a day‑by‑day approach with a supportive team that kept a positive outlook. "Some magic is happening," she told Sky Sports Tennis. "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 featured all the hallmarks of a classic showdown between the world’s two highest‑ranked players. Rybakina arrived on court in a striking yellow‑and‑black ensemble that evoked the image of a bee, a nod perhaps to the sting she intended to deliver.
She opened the match strongly, using aggressive groundstrokes to claim the first set 6‑4 after a Sabalenka double‑fault gave her an early break. The Belarusian responded with a code violation for throwing a ball into the stands, underscoring her mounting frustration. Sabalenka, known for her powerful serve and relentless baseline play, attempted to seize momentum in the second set. She produced a spectacular drop shot and a crisp backhand winner that briefly put her ahead, but Rybakina’s composure never wavered.
The Kazakh’s calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Sabalenka’s visible irritation as missed opportunities accumulated for the Belarusian. The second set slipped away from Rybakina, who allowed Sabalenka to level the match at 5‑5 before the latter finally took the set 7‑5.
The decisive third set saw Rybakina reassert her dominance. She surged ahead to a 5‑2 lead, displaying a blend of powerful serves, precise backhands, and an uncanny ability to read Sabalenka’s shots. By the time the final point was struck, Rybakina had sealed a 6‑2 third set and a 2‑1 match victory, leaving Sabalenka without a major title for the 2026 season. In the post‑match press conference, Sabalenka expressed disappointment but also admiration for her opponent.
"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. So I can win some titles!
I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess there's next year," she said, before acknowledging her own emotional outburst that included smashing a ball into the crowd and breaking a racket. Former champions and commentators offered their perspectives on the match.
Martina Navratilova noted that Sabalenka is usually the player imposing pressure, but this time it was Rybakina who dictated play. "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?" Navratilova asked.
Marion Bartoli highlighted the significance of Rybakina’s achievement, especially given her modest history at Flushing Meadows. "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," Bartoli remarked. Laura Robson added that Rybakina’s mental toughness was on full display. "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," she said.
With this victory, Rybakina not only captured her third Grand Slam title of the year—adding to her Australian Open win and Wimbledon triumph—but also moved one step closer to completing a career Grand Slam. The only major that still eludes her is the French Open at Roland Garros.
Her record for 2026 now includes three Grand Slam titles, 41 top‑10 victories, and a total of 49 wins for the season, underscoring her dominance across surfaces. The US Open final will be remembered as a defining moment for both athletes: Rybakina’s rise to the pinnacle of the sport and Sabalenka’s resolve to regroup and chase future glory. As the tournament concluded, Sky Sports announced a three‑year extension to its US Open coverage, ensuring fans will continue to enjoy high‑quality broadcasts of tennis’s biggest events through 2030.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is set to return to the ATP China Open after an 11‑year hiatus, adding further intrigue to the global tennis calendar. Overall, the 2026 US Open final delivered drama, high‑level tennis, and a narrative of perseverance that will resonate throughout the sport for years to come.