Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Win US Open Title, Rises to World No. 1

Elena Rybakina has been crowned the 2026 US Open women’s singles champion after defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a dramatic final at Flushing Meadows.

The victory gave Rybakina her first US Open crown, her third Grand Slam title and another major milestone in what has become a remarkable 2026 season.

More significantly, the triumph confirmed Rybakina as the new world No. 1, ending Sabalenka’s long stay at the top of the women’s game. Sabalenka had occupied the No. 1 position for 99 weeks.

The final was a battle between the top two players in women’s tennis, with Sabalenka entering the contest as the two-time defending US Open champion.

Rybakina, however, produced a composed performance when it mattered most. She took the opening set 6-4 before Sabalenka fought back to level the contest by winning the second set 7-5.

The Kazakh then regained control in the deciding set, breaking away from her opponent to secure a 6-2 victory and lift the trophy.

The result also continued Rybakina’s growing dominance against Sabalenka at Grand Slam level. Earlier this year, she defeated the Belarusian in the Australian Open final, making her two Grand Slam victories over Sabalenka in 2026.

Rybakina’s latest triumph adds to her Wimbledon title from 2022 and her Australian Open success earlier this year, taking her Grand Slam tally to three.

Her path to the US Open title was particularly impressive considering the uncertainty surrounding her participation before the tournament. Rybakina had been dealing with an ankle injury and had even spent a period away from practice before arriving in New York.

Despite those concerns, she steadily moved through the draw and defeated several major opponents on her way to the final. She overcame Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals before defeating Coco Gauff in the semi-finals to set up another showdown with Sabalenka.

Against Sabalenka, Rybakina’s powerful serve, aggressive baseline game and calm temperament proved decisive.

The 27-year-old’s victory also places her just one Grand Slam title away from completing a career Grand Slam. She now needs only the French Open title to add all four major championships to her collection.

For Sabalenka, the defeat ended her bid for a third consecutive US Open title and brought her impressive run at Flushing Meadows to an end.

The Belarusian had won the tournament in 2024 and 2025 and entered this year’s final having established herself as one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis.

Rybakina’s victory, however, marked the beginning of a new chapter.

From battling injury concerns before the tournament to defeating the defending champion in the final and taking over the world No. 1 ranking, her US Open triumph represents one of the defining moments of her career.

It also strengthens the growing rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka, with the two stars now firmly established as leading figures in the next chapter of women’s tennis.