Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open women's final on Saturday, capturing her third Grand Slam title and ending Sabalenka's reign as both tournament champion and world No. 1.
The victory marks Rybakina's second Grand Slam triumph of 2026, having also beaten Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year. The 27-year-old Kazakhstani will replace Sabalenka atop the WTA rankings on Monday, ending the Belarusian's 99-week run at No. 1.
Sabalenka entered Saturday's final as the two-time defending US Open champion, seeking her third consecutive title in New York. The top seed had dominated the tournament, dropping just one set through six rounds before facing Rybakina at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match showcased the contrasting styles of the world's top two players. Rybakina, known for her powerful baseline game, took the opening set 6-4 before Sabalenka fought back to claim the second set 7-5. The decisive third set saw Rybakina regain control, winning 6-2 to seal the championship.
This latest encounter adds another chapter to one of tennis's most compelling rivalries. The two players have now faced each other 17 times in their careers, with Sabalenka holding a 10-7 overall edge. However, Rybakina has claimed victory in their two most significant meetings this year — both Grand Slam finals.
For Rybakina, the triumph represents a remarkable year that has seen her win two of the four major championships. Her previous Grand Slam victory came at Wimbledon in 2022, and she also won the WTA Finals in 2025, cementing her status among the elite players in women's tennis.
The defeat ends what had been a dominant period for Sabalenka, who came into the tournament having won 12 consecutive matches at the US Open dating back to 2024. Her path to the final had been largely unchallenged, with her quarterfinal against Linda Noskova providing the only real test when she was pushed to a third-set tiebreak.
Rybakina's route to the final proved more challenging, as she was forced to three sets in both her semifinal against Coco Gauff and her previous match against Qinwen Zheng. The extra court time appeared to serve her well in the final, as she showed no signs of fatigue in the deciding set.
The championship represents more than just another title for Rybakina — it signals her arrival at the summit of women's tennis. Born in Moscow but representing Kazakhstan since 2018, she has steadily built her career to reach this pinnacle, with her prize money now totaling $29,818,052, placing her 13th all-time in earnings.
With the victory, Rybakina joins an exclusive group of active players with multiple Grand Slam titles and establishes herself as the new standard-bearer in women's tennis. Her ascension to world No. 1 comes at age 27, relatively late by modern standards, but reflects the patience and persistence that have defined her career.
The result sets up an intriguing dynamic heading into the final months of the 2026 season, with Rybakina now holding the top ranking and two major titles. For Sabalenka, the loss represents a setback in what had been a dominant run, but her consistent presence in major finals suggests she remains a formidable force in the sport.
