Elena Rybakina produced an impressive performance to clinch her second major title of 2026 at the US Open by dismissing Aryna Sabalenka in three sets.
Rybakina, who will go to No.1 in the WTA rankings for the first time on Monday, held her nerve to clinch a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 win over Sabalenka in New York. By doing so, she has become only the third woman since 2000 to win both the Australian Open and US Open titles in the same year. Furthermore, Rybakina is the first player since Justin Henin in 2007 to defeat former champions in both the semi-finals and the final of the tournament.
“It’s tough to find words right now. I didn’t expect anything like this coming to this tournament,” said the new champion.
“I’ve been dealing a little bit with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side.”
Throughout the clash, Rybakina was broken only once as she hit 36 winners against 24 unforced errors. This is even more impressive considering she got less than half of her first serves in, but still managed to win 71% of her service points overall.
“Aryna, you are a great champion. It’s so difficult to play against you,” said Rybakina.
“ You push me to such limits. I was dying on the court and just trying to get all the possible calls.”
The clash marked the first time since 2013 that a women’s singles final at Flushing Meadows had featured the world’s two highest-ranked players. From the outset, both Rybakina and Sabalenka settled into the match, but the Kazakh held the upper hand.
After failing to convert three break points in the third game, Rybakina finally secured the breakthrough to take a 3-2 lead. Sabalenka contributed to her own downfall with a backhand error followed by a double fault. Frustrated, the top seed subsequently hit the ball high into the air and was issued a code violation.
Serving for the opening set, a composed Rybakina continued to frustrate Sabalenka by hitting deep and forcing her opponent into errors. This was particularly evident on set point, when a gruelling 10-point rally ended with a Sabalenka backhand error, handing the second seed the opening set 6-4.
The second set proved to be a contest of fine margins, with Rybakina continuing to find answers on court as Sabalenka began to offer greater resistance. Serving at 4-5, Sabalenka fought her way to two set points but was unable to convert either opportunity.
Two games later, she earned another chance following a Rybakina shank. This time, the Belarusian made no mistake, capitalising on a deep return to secure the break and force a deciding set.
Despite the setback, Rybakina responded strongly at the start of the third set, winning 12 of the first 15 points. She continued to pile the pressure on an animated Sabalenka, who battled hard but appeared increasingly rattled as she was broken twice in succession.
That gave Rybakina enough breathing room to close out the match and claim her third Grand Slam title at the age of 27.
“I honestly was coming here for the last 10 years, and it was never successful,” said Rybakina.
“It’s just incredible, and I’m falling in love with New York more and more.”
As for Sabalenka, her 20-match winning run at the US Open has come to an end. She was seeking to become the first player since Serena Williams to win the tournament three years in a row. Nevertheless, she has still managed to set an Open Era record at this year’s event by being the first to reach eight consecutive hard court Grand Slam finals.
“The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech, but I try my best,” a disappointed Sabalenka commented during the trophy ceremony.
“I’m disappointed, but I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year and on incredible results. Enjoy it, have fun tonight, tomorrow, and until the end of the season so that I can win some titles.
“ I wish I could have performed a little bit better. But I guess there is next year.”
Rybakina is the first woman to defeat a world No.1 in multiple Grand Slam finals during the same year since Steffi Graf in 1995.
