Rybakina claims US Open title, defeating Sabalenka

In the US Open 2026 final, Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka, securing her first title at the tournament. Rybakina's victory came with a scoreline of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, confirming her status as the new world number one. Despite Sabalenka being the two-time defending champion, Rybakina maintained her composure, marking her third Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier in 2026.

The match showcased the intense rivalry between the two players, highlighted by their contrasting personalities. Rybakina remained calm, even when her powerful serve faltered. Throughout the opening set, her remarkable returning game troubled a visibly frustrated Sabalenka.

In the second set, Sabalenka improved her game, ultimately forcing a deciding third set after capitalizing on a second serve from Rybakina. However, her earlier loose shots returned in the final set. Rybakina broke Sabalenka to take a 2-1 lead and grew into her role as the new champion. She faced a brief moment of pressure, recording a double fault on her first championship point, but quickly regained focus to serve an ace.

After her victory, Rybakina reflected on her journey at the US Open, where she had never advanced beyond the fourth round until this year. She expressed her growing affection for New York, despite past failures at the tournament, noting, "I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I'm falling in love with New York more and more."

Rybakina's road to victory was remarkable, particularly following an ankle injury from the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals that had put her participation in doubt. Despite this, she dominated her early matches, showcasing her powerful serve, and displayed her resilience in overcoming early setbacks in her semifinal and final matches.

For Sabalenka, the match added to her history of near-misses in Grand Slam finals, marking her fifth defeat in nine attempts. She struggled under the pressure, which was evident early in the match, but managed to assert some control with her aggressive play. However, she couldn't find the consistency needed to secure a win, leaving her to confront the disappointment of another missed opportunity. Her emotional reaction after the match further illustrated her investment in achieving a third consecutive US Open title.

In her post-match remarks, a visibly shaken Sabalenka stated, "The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech but I will try my best. I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess next year."