Elena Rybakina has captured her first US Open title after defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final at Flushing Meadows.
The Kazakh star recovered from a second-set setback to beat Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday, September 12, securing her third Grand Slam crown and second major of the 2026 season.
Rybakina, seeded second, made the breakthrough in the opening set and maintained her composure despite Sabalenka fighting back strongly in the second.
The Belarusian levelled the contest after producing a stronger display in the second set, raising hopes of completing a hat-trick of consecutive US Open titles.
However, Rybakina regained control in the decider, breaking early and establishing a commanding 5-2 advantage before serving out the match to complete a landmark victory.
The triumph ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at the US Open and prevented her from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams and Chris Evert to win the tournament three years in succession.
Rybakina’s victory also completed her rise to the summit of women’s tennis. She had already secured enough ranking points to replace Sabalenka as world No. 1, with the official rankings set to confirm the change on Monday.
Sabalenka had occupied the top position for 99 consecutive weeks before Rybakina’s breakthrough.
The 27-year-old entered the tournament having previously won the Australian Open earlier this year and Wimbledon in 2022. Her latest success means she has now beaten Sabalenka in two Grand Slam finals in 2026, having also defeated her in the Australian Open decider.
Rybakina’s path to the title was particularly impressive considering an ankle injury had raised concerns about her fitness before the tournament.
Her victory earned her a record $5.5 million winner’s prize and further established her as the leading force in women’s tennis heading into the remainder of the season.
For Sabalenka, the defeat brought a disappointing end to a tournament in which she had been seeking an unprecedented third straight US Open championship. The 28-year-old was visibly frustrated during the final and ended the match by smashing her racket.
Despite the disappointment, Sabalenka acknowledged Rybakina’s performance, while the new champion celebrated a breakthrough that had eluded her in previous appearances at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina’s triumph has now firmly established her as the new world No. 1 and the latest US Open champion in women’s tennis.
