Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Rybakina Wins US Open, Becomes No. 1, Ends Sabalenka Reign
Elena Rybakina won the US Open tennis championship by beating Aryna Sabalenka in three sets.
Rybakina won the first set, Sabalenka won the second, and Rybakina won the deciding set 6-2.
This was Rybakina’s first US Open title and her third major championship.
Her other major wins were Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier in 2026.
Rybakina had already guaranteed that she would become the world’s No.
1 women’s player.
Sabalenka had won the previous two US Opens and wanted to win three in a row.
Rybakina’s victory stopped that streak and left Sabalenka without a major title in 2026.
Rybakina also played through reported injury concerns before the tournament.
Sabalenka said Rybakina served and played better on the day.
Elena Rybakina defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open women’s singles final.
The victory gave Rybakina her first US Open title and third Grand Slam championship.
Rybakina had already secured the WTA world No. 1 ranking by reaching the semifinals and will replace Sabalenka.
The result ended Sabalenka’s two-year US Open reign and denied her a third consecutive title.
Rybakina overcame reported ankle, Achilles, or foot concerns and earned a $5.5 million prize.
- Who
- Elena Rybakina defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
- What
- Rybakina won the 2026 US Open women’s singles title and became the WTA world No. 1.
- When
- The final was reported as taking place on Saturday, September 13, 2026; one account described the celebration as occurring Sunday.
- Where
- Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows in New York.
- Why
- Rybakina won to claim her first US Open title, third Grand Slam championship, and second major title of 2026.
Rybakina’s assessment
Sabalenka’s assessment
How close was the match?
Rybakina’s assessment
Rybakina described the final as very close and said Sabalenka played more aggressively during important moments of the second set.
Sabalenka’s assessment
Sabalenka said she had not performed at her desired level while crediting Rybakina’s serving, aggression, and overall performance.
What decided the third set?
Rybakina’s assessment
Rybakina said she refocused, concentrated on her serve, and took more risks when opportunities appeared.
Sabalenka’s assessment
Sabalenka said Rybakina served incredibly, played great tennis, and was simply the better player that day.
Sabalenka’s racket smash
Rybakina’s assessment
Rybakina praised Sabalenka as a great champion and acknowledged how difficult she was to play against.
Sabalenka’s assessment
Sabalenka said she smashed her racket to release aggression and disappointment after losing while pursuing a three-peat.
- Final score
- Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in 2 hours and 21 minutes.
- Rybakina’s major titles
- Wimbledon 2022, Australian Open 2026, and US Open 2026.
- World ranking
- Rybakina was guaranteed the No. 1 ranking after reaching the semifinals and will replace Sabalenka.
- Sabalenka’s US Open record
- Sabalenka won the 2024 and 2025 US Opens and was pursuing a third consecutive title.
- Flushing Meadows streak
- Sources described Sabalenka’s ended winning streak as either 19 or 20 matches.
- Prize money
- Rybakina earned $5.5 million, while Sabalenka received $2.8 million.
- Match statistics
- Sabalenka made 35 unforced errors, while Rybakina finished with 12 aces.
- Injury concerns
- Reports variously described Rybakina’s pre-tournament problem as an ankle, Achilles, or foot injury.
Sources
Elena Rybakina dethrones Aryna Sabalenka to win US Open title
Elena Rybakina dethrones Sabalenka to capture first US Open crown
Elena Rybakina Beats Aryna Sabalenka To Win Maiden US Open Title, Becomes World No. 1
Elena Rybakina stuns Aryna Sabalenka to win maiden US Open title
New world No 1 Elena Rybakina ends Aryna Sabalenka's two-year reign to clinch maiden US Open title in New York
Elena Rybakina's US Open title run puts her on top of women's tennis and Sabalenka has work to do
Rybakina dethrones Sabalenka for first US Open crown
Rybakina wins US Open, denies Sabalenka three-peat
World No. 1 Elena Rybakina Crushes Aryna Sabalenka's Dream To Win US Open Title
