Elena Rybakina emerged victorious in a thrilling showdown against Aryna Sabalenka to claim the US Open title, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. This win solidifies her position as a dominant force in women’s tennis. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan managed to overcome the top-seeded, two-time defending champion, Sabalenka, despite initial struggles with her first serve. By leaning on her powerful baseline game, Rybakina took an early lead, though Sabalenka rallied to push the match into a decisive third set.
In the final set, Rybakina maintained her composure, delivering her best serves at crucial moments and exerting constant pressure on Sabalenka. She clinched the victory with her 12th ace, celebrating with both hands raised in triumph as she added another prestigious title to her collection. This achievement caps off an impressive period for Rybakina, who overcame an Achilles injury before the tournament and faced the intense pressure of competing for the world No. 1 ranking. Along the way, she defeated several Grand Slam and Olympic champions to reach the final.
Rybakina’s victory at the US Open marks her as the preeminent hard-court player globally, having already secured wins at the Australian Open, US Open, and WTA Finals. With this latest triumph, she now holds three Grand Slam titles, including her previous successes at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026. Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s defeat halted her quest for a third consecutive US Open title, despite her impressive record of reaching eight consecutive Grand Slam finals on hard courts, where converting these appearances into victories has been challenging.
This final also adds another layer to the intense rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka, with Rybakina winning their last three major championship encounters, including two Grand Slam finals this year. As Rybakina ascends to the No. 1 ranking, taking over from Sabalenka, the women’s tennis scene is poised for a new chapter defined by their ongoing competition.