Rybakina defeats Sabalenka to claim US Open title and world number one ranking
Elena Rybakina secured her third Grand Slam title on Saturday, September 12, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York. The victory marked a historic achievement for the 27-year-old, who became the first player from Kazakhstan—man or woman—to reach world number one in tennis, a ranking she clinched by reaching the semi-finals earlier in the tournament.
Rybakina's triumph punctuated a remarkable year of tennis, following her undefeated run to the 2025 WTA Finals title and her Australian Open victory in January, where she also defeated Sabalenka. Her journey to the US Open final was particularly impressive given that she had retired from her Cincinnati Open quarterfinal match in August with a left ankle injury, raising questions about her ability to compete in New York.
I can't find words right now, honestly. I don't expect nothing like this coming to this tournament. I've been dealing with a little bit with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side.
The final ended Sabalenka's 20-match winning streak at the US Open, a run that began after her loss to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final. The Belarusian had been attempting to become only the third woman in history to capture three consecutive US Open titles, joining Chris Evert, who won four straight from 1975 to 1978, and Serena Williams, who claimed three in a row from 2012 to 2014.
Dominant serving performance
Rybakina's powerful serve proved decisive throughout the match. Leading the WTA Tour with 357 aces this season, she delivered a commanding performance that left Sabalenka struggling to find rhythm.
She served incredible. She played really aggressive, great tennis. She was simply a better player today than me.
After claiming the first set 6-4, Rybakina appeared poised for a straight-sets victory. However, Sabalenka mounted a spirited comeback in the second set, breaking Rybakina's serve for the first time in the final game to force a decider at 7-5.
The third set saw Rybakina regain her composure and dominate proceedings, racing to a 6-2 victory. After a brief exchange at the net, a visibly frustrated Sabalenka smashed her racket as she sat in her courtside chair while Rybakina celebrated with the crowd.
Contrasting fortunes
For Rybakina, who switched her sporting nationality from Russia to Kazakhstan in 2018 after the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation offered financial support, the victory represented the culmination of a breakthrough season. She became the first player in eight years to win the WTA Finals and Australian Open back-to-back, and now adds a US Open title to her collection alongside her 2022 Wimbledon championship.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, will finish 2026 without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022, despite having won four majors between 2023 and 2025, including the previous two US Open championships.
I wish I could have performed a little better, but I guess next year.
"I'm obviously not really happy with the level I played today," added the 28-year-old, who will relinquish her world number one ranking to Rybakina when the new rankings are released.
Rybakina's ascent to the top of women's tennis caps a long and methodical journey. At 27 years and 89 days, she becomes the second-oldest first-time world number one in WTA history and the 30th woman to capture the ranking since its inception in 1975.
