Elena Rybakina conquers New York, Dethrones Sabalenka to win US Open 2026

 

Elena Rybakina produced a composed and commanding performance under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium to defeat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 and capture her first US Open women's singles title. The victory gave the Kazakhstan star her third Grand Slam crown and, significantly, confirmed her arrival as the new world No. 1. 

The final, played on September 12, lasted 2 hours 21 minutes and once again showcased one of the most compelling rivalries in women's tennis. Rybakina and Sabalenka had already met in the Australian Open final earlier in 2026, with Rybakina winning there too, while Sabalenka had beaten her at Indian Wells. Their US Open showdown therefore represented another chapter in a rapidly developing rivalry. 

A battle between two powerhouse players

The championship match brought together the defending champion Sabalenka and Rybakina, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed. Sabalenka was chasing an extraordinary third consecutive US Open title, while Rybakina was appearing in her first final at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka had been virtually unbeatable in New York in recent years, carrying a 19-match US Open winning streak into the final. She had reached the championship match after beating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals. Rybakina, meanwhile, had overcome Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. 

The pre-final numbers suggested an extremely close contest. Their overall rivalry stood at 10-7 in Sabalenka's favour, while their hard-court meetings were level at 7-7. 

Rybakina strikes first

The opening set immediately reflected the contrasting styles of the two finalists. Sabalenka attacked with her trademark explosive groundstrokes, while Rybakina remained remarkably calm, absorbing the power and redirecting it with exceptional depth and precision.

The decisive moment came when Rybakina broke Sabalenka to establish control. The Kazakh maintained her advantage despite Sabalenka's repeated attempts to increase the pressure and eventually closed out the set 6-4.

Rybakina's ability to combine a devastating serve with increasingly effective returning was already becoming apparent. Her return game prevented Sabalenka from simply dictating points with her first strike.

Sabalenka fights back

The second set produced the most dramatic tennis of the evening.

Sabalenka refused to allow the match to slip away. The defending champion raised her intensity, attacked Rybakina's second serve more aggressively and began taking greater risks from the baseline.

Rybakina continued to create opportunities, but Sabalenka's determination kept the set finely balanced. At 5-5, the Belarusian found the breakthrough she desperately needed, applying enormous pressure before securing the decisive break.

She then served out the set 7-5, levelling the championship match at one set apiece.

The momentum appeared to have swung towards the defending champion, setting up a tense deciding set.

Rybakina produces a magnificent response

Instead of allowing the lost second set to affect her, Rybakina returned to the court with remarkable composure.

The third set became a showcase of her controlled aggression. She attacked Sabalenka's serve more effectively, kept rallies deep and forced the defending champion to hit under increasing pressure.

Rybakina secured an early break and suddenly began to pull away. Sabalenka attempted to respond with her trademark power, but the Kazakh repeatedly found answers with penetrating returns and clean baseline winners.

The longer the deciding set progressed, the more Rybakina looked in command.

She broke Sabalenka again to establish a commanding advantage and moved relentlessly towards the finish. With the championship within reach, Rybakina remained composed and refused to give Sabalenka any opening.

She eventually closed out the deciding set 6-2, completing one of the biggest victories of her career.

The statistics tell the story

The numbers underline how effectively Rybakina combined serving power with superior returning.

According to match statistics, Rybakina struck 12 aces compared with Sabalenka's six and won 41 return points, compared with 25 for her opponent. She converted three of her 12 break-point opportunities, while Sabalenka converted only one of her opportunities. Rybakina's three breaks proved decisive. 

Rybakina also produced 30 winners and 10 aces, according to NBC Sports' match report. 

The match was particularly significant because Rybakina did not simply overpower Sabalenka. She mixed her huge serve with disciplined baseline play and, crucially, effective returning. That balance enabled her to survive the Belarusian's bursts of aggression and regain control whenever the match threatened to turn.

Final score: Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. 

A remarkable Grand Slam season

The US Open triumph is Rybakina's third Grand Slam title. She had already won Wimbledon in 2022 and captured the Australian Open earlier in 2026, also defeating Sabalenka in the final. 

Her road to the US Open crown was particularly impressive because of the physical problems she had faced before the tournament. Rybakina had suffered an ankle injury at Cincinnati and had been forced to retire there, leaving doubts about her readiness for New York. She nevertheless recovered, reached the US Open final and defeated a succession of formidable opponents, including Naomi Osaka, Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff. 

Her semifinal against Gauff had already demonstrated her resilience: after losing the opening set 3-6, Rybakina fought back to win 6-4, 6-4.

Sabalenka's historic bid falls short

For Sabalenka, the defeat was a painful ending to an extraordinary US Open run.

She had entered the final seeking to become only the latest player to win the tournament three years in succession. She had captured the titles in 2024 and 2025, and her 19-match unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows demonstrated just how dominant she had become at the tournament. 

Instead, Rybakina ended that remarkable streak and denied Sabalenka a third straight championship.

The defeat also ended Sabalenka's 99-week reign as world No. 1, with Rybakina taking over the top ranking. 

A changing of the guard

The result therefore meant considerably more than another Grand Slam final victory.

Rybakina entered the tournament as the No. 2 player but leaves New York as the new No. 1 in women's tennis. She also becomes the latest player to establish herself as a major force across the Grand Slam landscape.

Her victory over Sabalenka in Melbourne earlier this year and now in New York shows that she has developed the ability to handle the Belarusian's extraordinary power on the biggest stages.

Rybakina's calm temperament was particularly striking. Even after surrendering the second set, she did not panic or allow Sabalenka's momentum to overwhelm her. Instead, she reset her game and produced her best tennis in the deciding set.

A new queen of New York

As Rybakina raised the US Open trophy, the symbolism was unmistakable. The player who had struggled to make a deep run in New York in previous years had finally conquered Flushing Meadows.

She leaves the 2026 US Open with her first US Open championship, a third Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking. She also becomes only one French Open title away from completing the career Grand Slam. 

For Sabalenka, there was disappointment after another three-set Grand Slam final against her increasingly formidable rival. But for Rybakina, the night represented a defining breakthrough.

From an injury cloud before the tournament to lifting the US Open trophy under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Elena Rybakina's 2026 New York triumph was a victory of power, precision, resilience and extraordinary composure.