Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday night at Flushing Meadows to win the first US Open of her career. It is her third Grand Slam title, and the second time this season she has taken one off the Belarusian.
How did the final turn?
On Rybakina's serve. The world No. 2 hit 12 aces, dropped only three points behind her serve in the deciding set and finished on an ace. She converted three of her twelve break points, while Sabalenka struggled to land first serves.
The two-time defending champion did hang on: a set down, she took the second 7-5 to force a decider. The third got away from her early, and she smashed her racquet right after the handshake.
"It's so difficult to play Aryna, she pushes you to your limits," Rybakina said. "I didn't expect anything like this coming into this tournament. I've been dealing with a little bit of an injury, but somehow everything aligned on my side."
"That's the last thing I want to do now, giving a speech," Sabalenka said on court.
What does the title change?
Rybakina adds New York to Wimbledon 2022 and January's Australian Open, also won against Sabalenka. She still trails 10-8 in their head-to-head, but leads 5-2 when a final is at stake.
She takes over as world No. 1 on Monday — secured the moment she reached the semi-finals — ending Sabalenka's 99 straight weeks at the top. She is the first player from Kazakhstan to hold the ranking.
For Sabalenka, the defeat ends a nineteen-match run at the US Open: she had not lost there since the 2023 final, against Coco Gauff. The third straight title she was chasing has not been done at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams.
The cheque is the largest in Grand Slam history: $5.5 million for Rybakina, $2.8 million for Sabalenka.
What about the men's final?
Alexander Zverev - Ben Shelton, on Sunday, September 13 at 8pm Paris time (2pm in New York), on Eurosport.
Sources
US Open — Rybakina defeats two-time defending champion Sabalenka to win 2026 US Open
CBS Sports — 2026 US Open results: Elena Rybakina upsets Aryna Sabalenka to claim third grand slam
ABC News — Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in US Open women's singles final