Elena Rybakina has completed a remarkable rise to the top of women’s tennis, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the 2026 US Open final to capture her first title at Flushing Meadows—and cement her place as the new WTA world No. 1.
The victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium gave Rybakina her third Grand Slam singles championship, adding the US Open trophy to her Wimbledon triumph in 2022 and Australian Open title earlier in 2026.
But the significance of the victory goes beyond another major trophy.
Rybakina’s triumph completed a dramatic changing of the guard in women’s tennis. Just days earlier, she had secured enough ranking points to overtake Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings. When the rankings are officially updated, Rybakina will become the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach No. 1 in women’s singles.
Sabalenka’s three-peat bid ends
Sabalenka entered the final chasing history of her own.
The Belarusian had won the US Open in 2024 and 2025 and was attempting to become only the third woman in the Open Era to win the tournament three consecutive times, joining the company of Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
Instead, her bid ended against a player who has increasingly become one of her toughest rivals.
Rybakina took control of the opening set, winning it 6-4. Sabalenka fought back in the second, leveling the match at one set apiece with a 7-5 victory.
The deciding set, however, belonged to Rybakina.
She established a commanding lead and closed out the championship 6-2, ending Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at the US Open and denying her a historic third consecutive New York title.
The result also continued a fascinating rivalry between the two power hitters. The US Open final was their 18th career meeting, with Sabalenka entering the match holding a 10-7 advantage.
From injury concerns to Grand Slam glory
Rybakina’s championship is even more remarkable because her participation in the tournament had been clouded by an ankle injury.
Despite those concerns, the 27-year-old Kazakh managed to navigate a demanding draw and eventually reach her first US Open final. She also had to battle back from a set down against Coco Gauff in the semifinals, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
That victory guaranteed Rybakina the No. 1 ranking even before she faced Sabalenka in the championship match.
She then completed the job in spectacular fashion.
A breakthrough season reaches another level
Rybakina’s 2026 campaign now includes two Grand Slam titles, after she defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
Her latest victory also makes her only the third woman this century to win both the Australian Open and US Open in the same calendar year, joining Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber.
Her rise has been remarkably steady. Born in Moscow, Rybakina began representing Kazakhstan in 2018 and won her first WTA title in Bucharest in 2019. Her breakthrough at the majors came at Wimbledon in 2022, where she captured her first Grand Slam trophy.
Now she has reached the summit of the sport.
Sabalenka left without a major title in 2026
For Sabalenka, the defeat capped a frustrating Grand Slam season.
She reached the Australian Open final but lost to Rybakina, and she entered the US Open without a major title in 2026 despite collecting several other trophies during the season.
Her New York campaign appeared destined for another championship run until she met Rybakina in the final.
After the match, Sabalenka acknowledged that Rybakina had been the better player on the night, while expressing disappointment at falling short of the three-peat.
For Rybakina, meanwhile, the moment represented the culmination of years of gradual progress.
She arrived in New York as the No. 2 seed.
She leaves as US Open champion and the new No. 1 player in women’s tennis.
And with two Grand Slam victories already in 2026, the biggest question now may be how much higher Rybakina can go.
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