Elena Rybakina Beats Aryna Sabalenka to Win US Open 2026

Elena Rybakina won the US Open women’s single title in 2026 against the first-seed player Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. The Kazakh 27-year-old athlete victory against the two-time defending champion to become the champion in a tough three-setter after struggling with her first serve during the opening moments of the match. Her success not only earned her the title of the champion of the US Open but also became the world No. 1 player in women’s tennis.

Rybakina Beats Sabalenka in Three-Set Match

Rybakina began the match serving poorly, but she made up for it by hitting baseline shots strongly and putting constant pressure on Sabalenka.

She managed to capture the first set 6-4 after which Sabalenka managed to level the scores by winning the second set 7-5, setting up a third-set decider. But Rybakina stayed calm and rose to the occasion.

She got past the initial service games in the third set and put more pressure on Sabalenka, finally winning the match 6-2. The match was secured with her 12th ace.

The win ended a great fortnight for the Kazakh player at the US Open. She had been playing with an Achilles tendon problem, which had prevented her from playing a week prior to the event. She was also under pressure to reach No. 1 spot in the rankings.

Rybakina Completes Grand Slam Hard-Court Sweep

The US Open win is another Grand Slam trophy for Rybakina, who has previously clinched Wimbledon and Australian Open titles.

The most recent win has also enhanced her status as the dominant hard-court player, as she has secured three major hard-court titles: the Australian Open, US Open and WTA Finals.

Rybakina is part of the select group of three-time Grand Slam winners, which includes Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati, Ash Barty, Angelique Kerber and Virginia Wade.

All that remains for her to secure a career Grand Slam is a win at the French Open.

Sabalenka Falls from US Open Crown and World No. 1 Position

This defeat has put an end to Sabalenka’s dream of winning the US Open tournament for three consecutive times. She has already lost six out of ten Grand Slam finals.

Nevertheless, she is still considered one of the most stable players when it comes to playing hard courts, making it to eight consecutive Grand Slam finals played on hard courts.

This defeat has also brought an end to her 99-week consecutive reign as world No. 1, which is the sixth-longest such streak in WTA history.

A Historical Rivalry Adds Another Page

This final match added another page to the biggest rivalries in women’s tennis. Since the Australian Open introduced hard court surface in 1988, it was only the second time that the same players contested both Grand Slam finals in a single calendar year.

In addition, it was the third time when the final match of the Grand Slam tournament featured two top players and the No. 1 position was changed in the process.

Rybakina has already won two consecutive Grand Slam finals and their championship match in WTA Finals.