Elena Rybakina claimed the US Open title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final, with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, firmly establishing herself at the pinnacle of women’s tennis. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan managed to overcome the top-seeded Sabalenka, who was the two-time defending champion, despite initial struggles with her first serve. Rybakina’s powerful baseline play allowed her to gain the upper hand, though Sabalenka mounted a comeback to push the match to a decisive final set.
In the third set, Rybakina maintained her composure, delivering her best serves at crucial moments and keeping consistent pressure on Sabalenka. She clinched her victory with a 12th ace, raising her hands in celebration as she added another major title to her collection. This victory crowns an exceptional period for Rybakina, who had been dealing with an Achilles injury before the tournament and faced the challenge of vying for the world No. 1 ranking. On her journey to the final, she defeated several Grand Slam and Olympic champions, showcasing her dominance on the hard courts.
Rybakina’s triumph at the US Open adds to her impressive list of achievements, which includes victories at the Australian Open, US Open, and WTA Finals, securing her status as the leading hard-court player globally. This latest win brings her total to three Grand Slam titles, following her previous successes at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026. Meanwhile, for Sabalenka, this loss halted her pursuit of a third consecutive US Open title, marking the end of her streak of eight straight Grand Slam finals on hard courts, where converting those appearances into titles has been a challenge.
The final also highlighted the growing rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka, with Rybakina now having won their last three major championship encounters, including two Grand Slam finals within the same year. With her recent victory, Rybakina overtakes Sabalenka to become the new world No. 1, signaling a shift in leadership in women’s tennis. This burgeoning rivalry promises to shape the future narrative of the sport, as both players continue to compete at the highest level.