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 delivered her first US Open trophy. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh emerged victorious in a three‑set battle on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2 and, in doing so, ensured she would replace Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings in the following week. The match was billed as a clash of the sport’s two highest‑ranked players, and it lived up to the hype.
Rybakina, dressed in a striking yellow‑and‑black ensemble reminiscent of a bee, displayed a blend of power and precision that kept Sabalenka on the defensive for most of the encounter. The Belarusian, the defending champion and top seed, entered the final with the historic goal 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 tears, smashing her racket in frustration as Rybakina celebrated her third Grand Slam title. Rybakina’s road to the final had not been without its own obstacles. An ankle injury that threatened to derail her campaign surfaced just before the tournament began. Despite the setback, she managed to stay healthy enough to capture the Australian Open earlier in the year and had already added a Wimbledon title to her résumé in 2022.
Reflecting on her journey, Rybakina 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 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 unfolded with drama from the first point.
Rybakina claimed the opening set 6‑4, using aggressive groundstrokes and a relentless serve to put Sabalenka on the back foot. The second set saw the Belarusian rally, breaking Rybakina’s rhythm with a superb drop shot and a crisp backhand winner, eventually taking the set 7‑5 after a series of long rallies. The decisive third set showcased Rybakina’s mental fortitude. After an early break, she surged ahead to a 5‑2 lead, employing a mixture of deep baseline shots and deft net approaches.
Sabalenka, visibly frustrated, received a code violation for throwing a ball into the stands after a double fault, further tilting the momentum in Rybakina’s favor. When the final point was struck, the Kazakh player raised her racket in triumph, while Sabalenka, overwhelmed by the disappointment of missing a historic three‑peat, smashed a ball into the crowd and broke her racket during the post‑match press conference. "It's really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of a Grand Slam and you were trying to go for three‑peat," Sabalenka admitted.
"I just wanted to let it go, because if I held it inside, I wouldn't be able to speak. I needed to release that aggression and disappointment." Commentators offered their perspectives on the outcome. Former champion Martina Navratilova noted, "We usually see Sabalenka dictating play, but tonight it was Rybakina who imposed her game. It was unexpected, and Rybakina earned that win.
Sabalenka will have to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to respond when Rybakina is playing at this level." Former world No. 1 Marion Bartoli praised Rybakina’s composure, saying, "Her previous best result here was the fourth round, and now she’s lifted the trophy under the pressure of being world No.
1. The way she bounced back at the start of the third set was extraordinary.
She attacked Sabalenka’s serve constantly, putting her under relentless pressure. Her ball‑striking is something else – she can do anything on the court. The only thing missing for a career Grand Slam is the French Open." Laura Robson added, "Both players hit the ball hard, but Rybakina’s backhand was lights‑out from start to finish.
Even without crowd support, she never flinched. Sabalenka tried everything to mount a comeback, but Rybakina kept her focus and executed her shots under immense pressure." With this victory, Rybakina not only secured her third Grand Slam title of 2026—adding to her Australian Open win earlier in the season—but also positioned herself just one French Open away from completing a career Grand Slam. Her triumph over Sabalenka marks the second Grand Slam final head‑to‑head win of the year, underscoring her dominance on the tour.
The win also brings her to 41 career victories over top‑10 opponents, including ten such wins in 2026 alone, and a total of 49 wins for the year. Beyond the immediate celebration, Rybakina’s ascent to world No.
1 reshapes the competitive landscape of women’s tennis. Analysts predict that her blend of power, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience will make her a formidable challenger for any opponent, while Sabalenka will likely regroup and aim to reclaim her position at the summit.
The US Open final, broadcast live on Sky Sports and streamed via the Sky Sports App, will be remembered as a classic encounter that highlighted the depth and drama of modern women's tennis.