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 awarded her first US Open trophy and confirmed her ascent to world No. 1.
The 27‑year‑old Kazakh displayed poise and power on the hallowed courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium, edging the top‑seed and defending champion 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2 to claim the championship. Rybakina entered the tournament already poised to replace Sabalenka at the summit of the rankings the following week, and the victory removed any doubt about her readiness to lead the tour.
While Sabalenka entered the final with the historic goal of joining the exclusive club of women who have won three consecutive US Open titles in the Open Era—a feat previously achieved only by legends Chris Evert and Serena Williams—her ambitions were thwarted as she was left fuming in her chair, smashing her racket in frustration after Rybakina secured her third Grand Slam crown. The Kazakh’s path to the title was not without obstacles. An ankle injury that surfaced just before the tournament raised concerns that her campaign might be compromised.
Nevertheless, Rybakina brushed off the setback, relying on her team’s optimism and a day‑by‑day approach to recovery. Her resilience paid off, as she added the US Open to an already impressive résumé that includes an Australian Open victory earlier in the year and a Wimbledon triumph in 2022. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, Rybakina described the experience as "some magic" and reflected on the uncertainty she felt at the start of the week.
"I was unlucky with the injury before the tournament began. I took it one day at a time, and my team stayed positive. We didn’t know what would happen, so I’m incredibly happy and proud. I still can’t believe it," she said.
The final itself featured all the hallmarks of a classic showdown between the top two players in the world. Rybakina, clad in a striking yellow‑and‑black outfit reminiscent of a bee, delivered aggressive groundstrokes that often landed with a sting. Sabalenka, however, countered with powerful serves and a relentless attacking mindset.
The first set tilted in Rybakina’s favor after Sabalenka double‑faulted, giving the Kazakh a 3‑2 lead. The Belarusian’s frustration boiled over when she received a code violation for tossing a ball into the stands. Throughout the match, Sabalenka’s irritation grew with each missed opportunity, while Rybakina maintained a composed demeanor.
She secured the opening set with a tight hold, showcasing her mental fortitude. In the second set, Sabalenka found a brief resurgence, employing a deft drop shot and a cross‑court backhand winner that forced a deciding third set. Yet Rybakina’s quality shone through; she seized an early lead in the final set, eventually pulling away to a 5‑2 advantage before closing out the match. After the win, Sabalenka addressed the media, acknowledging her disappointment but also offering congratulations to her opponent.
"I don’t really feel like giving a speech right now, but I’ll try. Thank you to everyone for the support. I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year and a well‑deserved result.
Enjoy it tonight and have fun. I’ll be back to win more titles. I wish I could have performed a little better, but there’s next year," she said. The emotional intensity of the final was evident when Sabalenka described smashing a ball into the crowd and breaking a racket in the heat of the moment.
"It’s hard to control your emotions when you lose a Grand Slam final, especially when you were aiming for a three‑peat. I needed to let it out; otherwise I would have been unable to speak or would have behaved poorly on court," she explained. Former champions and commentators weighed in on the match.
Martina Navratilova noted that Sabalenka is usually the dominant aggressor, but this time Rybakina turned the tables. "We don’t often see Sabalenka being bullied. She’s used to dictating play, but Rybakina forced her into a defensive position.
It wasn’t Sabalenka who lost; Rybakina earned the win. She’ll have to go back to the drawing board," Navratilova said.
Marion Bartoli highlighted the significance of Rybakina’s achievement, pointing out that her previous best result at the US Open had been a fourth‑round appearance. "To come here with the pressure of the world on your shoulders, knowing you carry the No. 1 ranking, and then win the title is extraordinary. Her comeback at the start of the third set was phenomenal.
She completely forgot the setbacks of the second set and kept attacking Sabalenka’s serve, applying relentless pressure. Her ball‑striking is on another level; she can do anything on the court. The only Grand Slam missing from her collection is the French Open," Bartoli remarked. Laura Robson added that the final lived up to expectations, praising both athletes for their composure under pressure.
"Rybakina didn’t flinch even without crowd support. Sabalenka tried everything to mount a comeback, but Rybakina kept her shot selection. The backhand from Rybakina was lights out from start to finish," Robson observed.
With this victory, Rybakina not only secured her third Grand Slam title of 2026 but also completed three of the four majors, leaving only Roland Garros as the missing piece for a career Grand Slam. Her head‑to‑head record against Sabalenka now includes two Grand Slam final wins in the same year, underscoring her dominance on the biggest stages.
The triumph marks a milestone in Rybakina’s career, confirming her status as the world’s top female player and setting the tone for the upcoming season. As she lifts the trophy in New York, the tennis world watches eagerly to see how she will build on this success and whether she can finally add the French Open to her already impressive collection.