Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka US Open Final Highlights

Elena Rybakina won the Women US Open Final after defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a thrilling championship clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The victory gave Rybakina her first US Open title and her third Grand Slam championship.

Rybakina entered the final after already taking the Australian Open title earlier in 2026, where she also defeated Sabalenka. The Kazakh player was also guaranteed to become the new world No. 1 after her run to the final.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, was bidding for a third consecutive US Open championship. The top seed had won the tournament in 2024 and 2025 and was looking to extend her dominance in New York.

The final delivered another intense chapter in their growing rivalry. Rybakina's powerful serving and clean baseline hitting eventually proved too much for Sabalenka, who fought back to level the match before Rybakina took control in the deciding set.

Detail	Match Information
Tournament	US Open 2026
Round	Final
Match	Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
Venue	Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York
Winner	Elena Rybakina
Runner-up	Aryna Sabalenka
Result	Rybakina won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
Title	Rybakina's first US Open title
Grand Slam titles	Rybakina's third

Rybakina Takes Control Early

Rybakina made a strong start despite struggling to find her usual rhythm on first serve.

The Kazakh player compensated with excellent baseline tennis and aggressive returns. She repeatedly put pressure on Sabalenka's service games and found success in the longer exchanges.

Sabalenka struggled to settle early and gave Rybakina opportunities with errors and a double fault that helped the second seed secure a crucial break.

Rybakina kept her composure and protected her advantage to take the opening set 6-4.

Her ability to dictate rallies from the baseline was particularly important. Rather than trying to match Sabalenka's power point for point, Rybakina used her accuracy and timing to move the defending champion around the court.

Sabalenka Fights Back

Sabalenka responded strongly in the second set.

The Belarusian began finding more consistency with her serve and increased the pressure on Rybakina's second serve. Her powerful groundstrokes started producing shorter points, allowing her to take control of more rallies.

Rybakina continued to create chances, but Sabalenka refused to let the match slip away.

The defending champion raised her level late in the set and eventually broke Rybakina before serving for the set. Sabalenka held her nerve and forced a deciding set by winning the second 7-5.

The momentum had shifted, but Rybakina showed no signs of panic.

Rybakina Dominates the Deciding Set

The third set belonged to Rybakina. After losing the second set, she immediately reset and produced her strongest tennis of the match. Her serve finally began working at its best level, while her groundstrokes remained accurate and aggressive.

Sabalenka struggled to match the intensity.

Rybakina quickly established control and began creating pressure in almost every Sabalenka service game. Her returns forced the defending champion into difficult positions, while her powerful backhand helped her control the baseline exchanges.

The Kazakh player continued to attack without giving Sabalenka many opportunities to recover.

Rybakina eventually closed out the deciding set 6-2 to secure the biggest victory of her US Open career.

Rybakina Wins First US Open Title

Elena Rybakina won the US Open Final 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to claim her first championship at Flushing Meadows.

The victory also completed a remarkable hard-court season for the 27-year-old. She had already defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier in the year and now repeated the result at the US Open.

Rybakina's Grand Slam collection now includes Wimbledon 2022, the Australian Open 2026 and the US Open 2026. She is also just one French Open title away from completing a career Grand Slam.

The result also confirmed Rybakina's rise to world No. 1. She replaced Sabalenka at the top of the rankings after the Belarusian had held the position for 99 consecutive weeks.

Sabalenka Misses Out on US Open Three-Peat

Sabalenka's defeat ended her bid for a third straight US Open title after winning the tournament in 2024 and 2025. The top seed fought back from a set down to force a decider but could not stop Rybakina.

The loss also ended Sabalenka's 19-match winning streak at the US Open. Despite the defeat, reaching another Grand Slam final confirmed her place among women's tennis elite.

Rybakina Becomes New World No. 1

The US Open victory gave Rybakina more than another Grand Slam trophy.

She became the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach the top position in the women's singles rankings. Her rise capped a major turnaround after injury concerns had threatened her participation in the tournament.

Rybakina also became the first player since 1994 to face the same opponent in both the Australian Open and US Open women's singles finals in the same year.

Her calm approach under pressure proved decisive once again against Sabalenka.

Match Highlights

• Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Women US Open Final.
• Rybakina won the final 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
• Rybakina claimed her first US Open title.
• The victory gave Rybakina her third Grand Slam championship.
• Rybakina also won the 2026 Australian Open earlier this year.
• Sabalenka was attempting to win her third consecutive US Open title.
• Sabalenka won the second set 7-5 after losing the opener.
• Rybakina dominated the deciding set 6-2.
• Rybakina became the new world No. 1.
• Sabalenka's 19-match US Open winning streak came to an end.
• The final was played at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
• Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in two Grand Slam finals during 2026.