Despite concerns about an ankle injury, Elena Rybakina delivered a magnificent performance at the US Open. She secured the world number one ranking by defeating Coco Gauff in the semi-finals and then won the trophy by beating Sabalenka.
New York: Elena Rybakina has capped a remarkable 2026 campaign with another major achievement, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final to claim her first championship at Flushing Meadows.
The Kazakhstan representative battled past the two-time defending champion in a three-set encounter, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The result gave Rybakina her third Grand Slam title and completed her long-awaited ascent to the top of the women’s game.
Her victory also carries historic significance for Kazakhstan. Rybakina has become the first woman representing the country to occupy the No. 1 position in the WTA rankings. At the same time, Sabalenka’s 99-week run at the summit has come to an end, while her attempt to win three successive US Open titles has also been stopped.
Rybakina Rises to the Occasion
The final brought together two of the most powerful players on the women’s tour, and the match quickly turned into a battle of aggressive baseline tennis.
Both players tried to take charge of rallies from the back of the court. Rybakina’s serve and ability to hit through the court gave her the early edge, allowing her to claim the first set 6-4.
Sabalenka responded strongly in the second set. The Belarusian increased the intensity of her game and managed to disrupt Rybakina’s momentum. She eventually levelled the final by taking the second set 7-5.
With everything to play for in the decider, Rybakina produced another gear.
She stayed calm during the key moments, capitalised on her opportunities and kept Sabalenka under constant pressure. The third set soon tilted decisively in her favour, with Rybakina taking it 6-2 to secure the US Open trophy.
Rybakina Adds a Third Major
The victory in New York has taken Rybakina’s Grand Slam collection to three titles.
She first broke through at Wimbledon in 2022 before winning the Australian Open in 2026. Her US Open triumph now gives her two Grand Slam titles in the same season.
Sabalenka has featured in the final of both of those 2026 major victories. Rybakina defeated her in the Australian Open final earlier this year and produced the same outcome in New York.
The result also leaves Rybakina within touching distance of a career Grand Slam. She has already won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open, meaning the French Open is the only major title still missing from her resume.
The New World No. 1
Rybakina’s arrival at the top of the WTA rankings had been confirmed before the final.
Her run to the US Open semi-finals was sufficient to guarantee that she would move ahead of Sabalenka and take the No. 1 ranking. Winning the championship has now made that achievement even more memorable.
The new rankings, scheduled to be released on Monday, will officially place Rybakina at the summit.
Sabalenka’s 99 consecutive weeks as world No. 1 will therefore come to an end. Her reign ranks as the sixth-longest uninterrupted stay at the top in WTA history.
Rybakina has also entered the history books as the first woman representing Kazakhstan to become the world’s No. 1 player.
Sabalenka’s Three-Year US Open Run Ends
Sabalenka arrived in New York with the chance to accomplish something special.
She had won the US Open in 2024 and 2025 and was aiming to make it three titles in succession. Doing so would have placed her among the very few women in the Open Era to achieve such a feat.
Serena Williams and Chris Evert are the previous women to have won three consecutive US Open singles titles.
Rybakina denied Sabalenka that opportunity. Although Sabalenka managed to fight back after losing the opening set, she could not maintain that level in the decider.
The final defeat not only ended her bid for a third straight championship but also marked the end of her time at No. 1.
Another Chapter in a Major Rivalry
The Rybakina-Sabalenka matchup has become one of the most prominent rivalries in women’s tennis.
The US Open final was their 18th meeting. Before the championship match, Sabalenka had won 10 of their previous 17 encounters, compared with seven victories for Rybakina.
Their rivalry has gained even greater importance during the 2026 season.
Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final and has now beaten her again in the US Open final. Two Grand Slam final victories over the same opponent in one year have added another impressive chapter to their rivalry.
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From Moscow to Kazakhstan’s Biggest Tennis Stage
Rybakina was born in Moscow, Russia, on June 17, 1999. She first picked up a tennis racket at the age of six.
During the early part of her career, she represented Russia. That changed in 2018, when she began representing Kazakhstan.
The switch came during a period when her professional career was beginning to gather momentum. Rybakina had started her professional career in 2014 and gradually climbed the WTA rankings.
She won her first WTA title at the Bucharest Open in 2019. A year later, she broke into the world’s top 20 for the first time.
Her rise continued from there, eventually taking her into the highest tier of women’s tennis.
Wimbledon Put Rybakina on the Grand Slam Map
Rybakina’s first Grand Slam breakthrough came at Wimbledon in 2022.
She produced an impressive run at the tournament and walked away with her first major championship. That victory significantly raised her profile and established her as a player capable of succeeding on tennis’s biggest stages.
Her powerful serve, attacking baseline game and ability to remain composed under pressure have remained central to her success.
New York, however, had previously been a difficult stop for her. Before the 2026 tournament, she had never progressed beyond the third round at the US Open.
Her maiden title in New York has now changed that record in emphatic fashion.
The Season of Rybakina’s Rise
Rybakina’s outstanding 2026 season started with a Grand Slam victory in Melbourne.
She defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final to claim the opening major of the year. Strong results across the season then kept her firmly in contention for the top ranking.
Before arriving in New York, Rybakina also had the 2025 WTA Finals title among her major recent achievements.
Her consistency throughout the year gradually brought her closer to Sabalenka in the rankings race. By the time the US Open reached its latter stages, the No. 1 spot was within her grasp.
She eventually secured the ranking and followed it up by winning another Grand Slam.
Injury Concerns Before the Tournament
Rybakina’s US Open campaign began with some uncertainty surrounding her fitness.
She had been dealing with an ankle injury before the tournament, leading to questions over whether she would be able to compete.
Rybakina ultimately decided to take part.
Instead of struggling as the tournament progressed, she appeared to grow stronger and more confident with each round. Her performances carried her through to the semi-finals and eventually into the championship match.
Gauff Defeated as No. 1 Spot Was Secured
Rybakina faced Coco Gauff in the US Open semi-final. The match did not begin in her favour, as she dropped the opening set. She responded with a strong comeback, winning the next two sets to book her place in the final.
By reaching the semi-finals, Rybakina had already done enough to guarantee the No. 1 ranking. The achievement made her the 30th woman in WTA history to reach the top position.
She then had one more challenge in front of her: beating Sabalenka for the championship.
Rybakina completed that task in three sets and left New York with both the trophy and the top ranking.
Sabalenka’s US Open Record Remains Remarkable
Sabalenka’s defeat does not take away from her extraordinary record at Flushing Meadows.
She had reached at least the final at eight consecutive hard-court Grand Slam tournaments. Before the 2026 US Open, she had won 40 of 46 matches at the venue, giving her a 40-6 record.
She once again showed her fighting qualities in the final by recovering from a first-set loss and taking the match into a deciding set.
However, Rybakina took charge in the final set and did not allow Sabalenka to regain the momentum she had built in the second.
The result ended Sabalenka’s hopes of a third consecutive US Open crown and brought her 99-week spell as world No. 1 to a close.
A New Milestone for Kazakhstan
Rybakina’s achievement is also a landmark moment for Kazakhstan.
Since changing her representation in 2018, she has become one of the country’s biggest names in tennis. Her Grand Slam performances had already established Kazakhstan as a notable presence on the international tennis stage.
Her arrival at No. 1 takes that success even further.
Rybakina’s story is also unusual because her birthplace and sporting representation are different. Born in Moscow, she has achieved her biggest tennis milestones while representing Kazakhstan.
One Grand Slam Still Missing
Rybakina now has three major titles in her collection: Wimbledon 2022, Australian Open 2026 and US Open 2026.
The French Open is the only Grand Slam she has yet to win.
If she eventually triumphs at Roland-Garros, she will complete the career Grand Slam by winning all four major championships.
For now, Rybakina has plenty to celebrate. Her 2026 season has taken her from Grand Slam success in Australia to another major triumph in New York and, ultimately, to the No. 1 spot in women’s tennis.
