Phoenix 24
A third Grand Slam title confirms the Kazakhstani’s arrival at the summit of women’s tennis.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win her first US Open championship and become the new world No. 1. The 27-year-old recovered after losing a competitive second set and controlled the decider with the powerful serving and composed baseline tennis that defined her tournament.
The victory gave Rybakina her third Grand Slam singles title, following Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this season. She has now defeated Sabalenka in two major finals during 2026, establishing herself as the dominant player of the year on hard courts.
Sabalenka entered the final pursuing a third consecutive US Open title and carrying a 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows. Her aggressive response in the second set extended the contest, but frustration and unforced errors weakened her resistance as Rybakina raised her level in the decisive moments.
Rybakina finished with 36 winners and committed 11 fewer unforced errors than her opponent. Her calmness became especially important during the third set, when she absorbed Sabalenka’s power without allowing the match’s emotional intensity to disrupt her tactical decisions.
The title also completes an extraordinary transformation in New York. Rybakina had never advanced beyond the fourth round in her previous US Open appearances and arrived at this edition managing an ankle problem. She leaves with the trophy, a $5.5 million prize and the highest ranking of her career.
Pressure does not create character; it reveals it.