Elena Rybakina solidified her claim to the top of the women's tennis hierarchy by defeating two‑time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final that earned her a first US Open trophy and cemented her ascent to the world No. 1 ranking. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh displayed poise and power on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, overcoming early setbacks to prevail 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2 over the defending champion and top seed. The victory not only delivered Rybakina her maiden US Open title but also guaranteed that she would replace Sabalenka at the summit of the WTA rankings in the following week, a shift that had already been mathematically confirmed before the match began.
The win came after a season that saw Rybakina capture the Australian Open earlier in the year and add a Wimbledon triumph to her résumé in 2022, underscoring her rapid rise among the sport’s elite. 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. The Belarusian’s dream was shattered as she watched Rybakina celebrate a third Grand Slam crown for herself, the Kazakh’s first at Flushing Meadows. In a moment of frustration, Sabalenka smashed her racket, sending it to pieces, a visceral display of the disappointment that followed the loss.
Rybakina’s path to the championship was not without its own challenges. An ankle injury that surfaced just before the tournament threatened to derail her campaign. However, the Kazakh remained optimistic, taking each day as it came and relying on her team’s confidence. In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, she reflected on the adversity, saying, "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 arrived in a striking yellow‑and‑black outfit reminiscent of a bee, a visual cue that matched the sting of her groundstrokes.
Sabalenka, in contrast, relied on her trademark big serve to keep the pressure on Rybakina throughout their third Grand Slam final meeting. The opening set saw Rybakina claim an early lead after a Sabalenka double fault gave her a 3‑2 advantage.
The Belarusian’s frustration boiled over when she received a code violation for hurling a ball into the stands. While Sabalenka’s irritation grew with each missed opportunity, Rybakina maintained a composed demeanor, tightening her grip on the match and eventually sealing the set with a clean 6‑4 finish. The second set offered a brief resurgence for Sabalenka.
A beautifully executed drop shot and a powerful backhand winner allowed her to claw back into contention, eventually taking the set 7‑5 after a series of tense rallies. The momentum shift seemed to energize the 28‑year‑old, who let out a triumphant roar after securing a crucial backhand winner early in the third set.
Nevertheless, Rybakina’s quality shone through. Armed with a red‑and‑blue framed racket, she surged ahead to a commanding 5‑2 lead in the decider.
Her aggressive return game and precise shot placement forced Sabalenka into defensive positions, ultimately allowing Rybakina to close out the match and deny her opponent any major titles in 2026. In the post‑match press conference, Sabalenka expressed a mix of disappointment and sportsmanship. "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 emotional outburst that had seen her smash a racket and fling a ball into the crowd.
Former champions and commentators offered their perspectives. Martina Navratilova noted, "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?" Marion Bartoli highlighted the significance of Rybakina’s achievement, recalling that the Kazakh’s previous best result at the US Open had been a fourth‑round appearance.
"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 and putting her under relentless pressure. Her ball‑striking is something else; she can do anything on the court. She's only missing Roland Garros now to complete a career Grand Slam," Bartoli said.
Laura Robson added that the final lived up to its hype, praising both athletes for their power and timing. "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. The difference today was the backhand from Rybakina, which was lights out from start to finish," Robson observed.
With this triumph, 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 a career Grand Slam now sits within reach.
Her victory over Sabalenka also marked her second Grand Slam final win against the Belarusian in 2026, adding to an impressive tally of top‑10 victories throughout the season. The US Open final, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will be remembered as a defining moment in women's tennis, showcasing the emergence of a new dominant force and the relentless pursuit of greatness by both finalists.