Elena Rybakina produced a powerful and composed performance to defeat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the 2026 US Open final, capturing her first title at Flushing Meadows and rising to world No. 1.
Elena Rybakina has reached another major milestone in her rapidly growing tennis career. The Kazakh star defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, September 12, ending Sabalenka’s bid for a historic third consecutive US Open championship.
The victory gives Rybakina her third Grand Slam title, following her Wimbledon triumph in 2022 and Australian Open victory earlier in 2026.
Rybakina Takes Control From the Start
The final immediately delivered the intensity expected from a matchup between two of the biggest names in women’s tennis.
Rybakina took the opening set 6-4, using her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game to put Sabalenka under pressure.
Sabalenka, however, refused to surrender her title without a fight. The Belarusian responded strongly in the second set, taking it 7-5 and forcing the championship match into a deciding third set.
With everything on the line, Rybakina maintained her composure.
She eventually pulled away in the final set, winning it 6-2 and sealing one of the biggest victories of her career.
A Major Blow for Sabalenka
The defeat ended Sabalenka’s impressive run at Flushing Meadows.
She had won the US Open in both 2024 and 2025 and entered the 2026 final looking to become only the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. The official tournament preview noted that such an achievement would have placed her alongside legendary champions such as Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
Instead, Rybakina stopped the run.
The loss also ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at the US Open.
Rybakina’s Incredible Rise to World No. 1
The US Open victory completes an extraordinary week for Rybakina.
Before reaching the final, she had already secured the world No. 1 ranking, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the women’s rankings.
Her journey to the final was also far from easy.
Rybakina fought back from a set down to defeat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals before overcoming Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals.
That run demonstrated one of the most important changes in her game: the ability to remain calm and competitive even when matches turn against her.
The Australian Open Rivalry Continues
The US Open final was not the first major championship meeting between Rybakina and Sabalenka in 2026.
The two had already faced each other in the Australian Open final, where Rybakina won. Their US Open meeting therefore became another chapter in one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s tennis.
Rybakina’s latest victory makes the rivalry even more intriguing heading into the rest of the season.
Why This Victory Matters
Rybakina’s US Open triumph is significant for several reasons.
First, it gives her a Grand Slam title on another surface after previously winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
Second, it confirms her status as the new world No. 1.
Third, she becomes only the third woman this century to win both hard-court Grand Slam tournaments in the same calendar year.
Perhaps most importantly, Rybakina has now demonstrated that she can overcome the pressure of a major final against an established champion.
What Comes Next for Rybakina?
The biggest question now is whether Rybakina can turn this breakthrough into a sustained period of dominance.
At just 27, she already owns three Grand Slam titles and has reached the top of the WTA rankings. Her combination of serving power, baseline aggression and increasingly strong mental resilience makes her one of the most dangerous players on the women’s tour.
For Sabalenka, meanwhile, the challenge will be responding to a disappointing end to her US Open title defense.
The rivalry between the two is unlikely to end here.
Final Thoughts
Elena Rybakina’s 2026 US Open victory is more than another Grand Slam title — it represents the arrival of a new world No. 1 at the peak of her powers.
She defeated one of the toughest players in women’s tennis, ended a remarkable US Open winning streak and added another major trophy to an already impressive career.
The next chapter of the Rybakina-Sabalenka rivalry could be even more exciting.
