NEW YORK — September 12, 2026 —
Elena Rybakina captured her first U.S. Open championship, defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 4–6, 7–5, 6–2 in a dramatic final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory gives Rybakina her third Grand Slam title and, as previously secured, makes her the new WTA world No. 1.
Match Summary
Sabalenka started aggressively and took the opening set 6–4, putting herself on course for a historic third consecutive U.S. Open title.
Rybakina refused to panic. The Kazakh star raised the level of her serving and groundstrokes, while forcing Sabalenka into increasingly difficult rallies. She edged the second set 7–5, sending the championship match into a deciding set.
The Deciding Set
The third set belonged to Rybakina.
She broke through early and established control from the baseline, while Sabalenka struggled to reproduce the devastating consistency that had carried her through the first set. Rybakina maintained her composure and closed out the set 6–2 to complete the comeback.
Final: Elena Rybakina def. Aryna Sabalenka 4–6, 7–5, 6–2
The Turning Point
The pivotal moment came in the second set. With Sabalenka trying to protect her lead and Rybakina fighting to stay alive, Rybakina produced the cleaner tennis in the biggest points and forced the match into a third set.
Once level, Rybakina seized the momentum and never surrendered it.
What the Victory Means
🏆 First U.S. Open title for Rybakina
🏆 Third Grand Slam championship of her career
🇰🇿 First player representing Kazakhstan to reach No. 1 in the WTA rankings
👑 Sabalenka’s bid for a third consecutive U.S. Open title ends
🔥 Rybakina avenges her loss to Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final while also adding another chapter to their rivalry
Rybakina demonstrated exceptional composure after losing the opening set. Her ability to maintain her aggressive baseline game while limiting mistakes was the difference.
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka produced stretches of outstanding power tennis and won the first set, but her level dipped at crucial moments after Rybakina turned the match around.
Final Verdict
This was a championship worthy of the occasion: two of the world’s elite players, three hard-fought sets and a changing of the guard at the top of women’s tennis.
Rybakina’s victory caps a remarkable Grand Slam season and establishes her as the new queen of New York—and the new world No. 1.
