Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the 2026 US Open final. The Kazakh star secured her first US Open title after another major meeting with Sabalenka. Rybakina entered the final as the No. 2 seed against top seed Sabalenka.
The match brought together two powerful baseline players at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Rybakina made the stronger start before Sabalenka fought back to force a deciding set.
The final also carried major ranking and rivalry implications. Read on for the key moments, the decisive third set, and what the victory means for both players.
Elena Rybakina Makes a Stronger Start
The US Open 2026 Women’s Singles final began under a blazing September sun at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Both players immediately traded powerful shots from the baseline.
Rybakina earned the first break to move 3-2 ahead. She then consolidated the advantage with a love hold, including her third ace.
The 27-year-old played cleaner tennis in the opening stages, relying on her first-strike serving to keep Sabalenka on the defensive.
Rybakina extended her lead to 5-4 and, at the 44-minute mark, earned her first set point. Though Sabalenka saved the initial chance, Rybakina converted on the next to close out the opening set 6-4.
Sabalenka Fights Back in the Second Set
Sabalenka raised her level in the second set while maintaining her aggressive style. She attacked the lines, rushed the net, and accepted greater risks during rallies.
At 5-5, Sabalenka faced three break points during a crucial service game. She saved all three chances and moved ahead 6-5.
Sabalenka then created her first break point in the next game. The opportunity also served as a set point, and she converted it to win the set 7-5.
Her improvement came alongside visible frustration on court. Sabalenka continued her intense self-talk while Rybakina maintained a calmer presence.
Elena Rybakina Takes Another Early Break
Rybakina followed the same pattern from the opening set in the decider. She secured an early break and moved 2-1 ahead.
Long baseline exchanges increasingly favoured Rybakina. Sabalenka made several wild errors while attempting to end points quickly.
Rybakina instead waited for opportunities during extended exchanges. Her patience allowed her to create openings for attacking shots.
Sabalenka faced another pressure-filled service game while trailing 2-4. Rybakina pushed her wide with an angled shot before moving forward for a clean volley.
The volley gave Rybakina another break and moved her closer to the championship. She then held serve to reach 5-2 and earned the chance to serve for the title.
Rybakina Seals Her Maiden US Open Title
Rybakina reached championship point at 40-15 during the final game. She double-faulted on her first opportunity, briefly giving Sabalenka another chance.
Rybakina responded on the next point with a clutch ace—her 12th of the match—to secure a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory in two hours and 21 minutes.
During the on-court interview, Rybakina admitted she struggled to process the achievement after securing her maiden US Open title. She said,
“It’s tough to find words right now, honestly… I did not expect anything like this coming into this tournament.”
She also spoke about dealing with an injury during the tournament. She said, “I have been feeling it a little bit with the injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side.”
Rybakina also praised Sabalenka after the final, calling her a great champion and recognizing the challenge she presented throughout their rivalry.
Elena Rybakina Rises to World No. 1
Rybakina collected enough ranking points during her title run to move to world No. 1. The rankings will update on Monday, placing her at the top and ending Sabalenka’s 99-consecutive-week run as No. 1.
The ranking change adds another layer to their rivalry, which Sabalenka still leads 10-8. Rybakina, however, has won their recent major meetings at the 2025 WTA Finals and 2026 Australian Open.
Their latest meeting in New York therefore carried significance beyond the championship. Rybakina now leaves the US Open with both the title and the No. 1 ranking.
Elena Rybakina Adds Another Chapter to the Rivalry
The rivalry has produced several important meetings over the past year. Rybakina defeated Sabalenka at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh before winning their Australian Open final.
Sabalenka later claimed victories over Rybakina in Indian Wells and Miami. Their US Open meeting therefore became another major chapter in their rivalry.
The 2026 US Open final also marked a notable tournament milestone. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds had not met in a women’s championship match since 2013.
Serena Williams defeated second-seeded Victoria Azarenka in the 2013 final. Rybakina and Sabalenka therefore became the latest top two seeds to meet for the US Open women’s title.
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Conclusion
Rybakina’s New York triumph adds a major milestone to an already strong Grand Slam career. The title also gives her a memorable place in the tournament’s history.
Sabalenka now faces a different chapter after two consecutive US Open championships. Their rivalry remains one of the defining stories from the women’s draw.
For Rybakina, the victory brings more than silverware. It marks a significant step in her rise among the leading players on the WTA Tour.
