Rybakina Claims First US Open Title in Thrilling Final Against Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina solidified her status as the premier women’s player by defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final. The victory, secured with a scoreline of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, marks the Kazakh player’s first triumph at Flushing Meadows and clinches her the world number one ranking, which she had already secured ahead of the match.

This win represents Rybakina’s third Grand Slam title of her career, following her victories at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier in 2026. Her ice-cool demeanor stood in stark contrast to Sabalenka’s visible frustration, proving to be a decisive factor in a tense final.

The victory was particularly remarkable given that Rybakina was unsure if she would even be able to compete. She had suffered a significant ankle injury during the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals that left her unable to walk for several days. Despite these concerns, she powered through her early rounds with dominant serving before overcoming tougher challenges against Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka, who entered the match hoping to soften the sting of losing her top ranking by securing a third consecutive US Open title, struggled to find consistency. While she managed to take the second set, errors and emotional outbursts plagued her performance throughout the three-set contest.

After clinching the title with an ace on championship point, Rybakina admitted she had always found success elusive in New York. “I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I’m falling in love with New York more and more,” she said.

For Sabalenka, the loss extends a pattern of disappointment at major events, marking her fifth defeat in nine Grand Slam finals. An emotional Sabalenka told the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium: “I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess next year.”