Elena Rybakina wins maiden US Open title
Elena Rybakina captured her maiden US Open crown on Saturday evening, overcoming two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a gripping three-set final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, reports BritPanorama.
The victory marks Rybakina’s third Grand Slam title, adding the Flushing Meadows trophy to her collection. Notably, she ascended to the summit of the world rankings with this win, having already been guaranteed the top spot regardless of the final’s outcome.
This clash was the second time in 2026 that Rybakina had triumphed over Sabalenka in a major final, having also conquered her in three sets at the Australian Open in January. Although Rybakina’s first serve was uncharacteristically erratic in the opening set, she maintained her composure, dismantling Sabalenka’s game with powerful returns from the baseline.
Sabalenka fought back in a closely contested second set, capitalising on a slight dip in Rybakina’s level, breaking in the twelfth game to force a decisive third set. Yet, in that final set, Rybakina completely dominated, conceding just three points on her serve, and breaking Sabalenka for a 2-1 lead before never looking back.
A momentary lapse occurred on her first championship point with a double fault, but she responded immediately with a decisive ace to seal her victory. Sabalenka had aimed to make history by becoming the first player since Serena Williams to lift three consecutive US Open trophies, but was unable to contain her frustration as sloppiness crept into her game during the final set.
The contrasting temperaments of the rivals highlighted their growing rivalry, with Rybakina’s calm demeanor prevailing against Sabalenka’s intensity. Sabalenka held a 10-7 advantage in their career head-to-head prior to the match, but Rybakina has now secured victories in both of their Grand Slam final encounters in 2026.
Rybakina’s remarkable journey began at Wimbledon in 2022, and her success now includes two major titles in 2026. This victory is particularly striking as she had never advanced beyond the fourth round at the US Open prior to this year. In contrast, Sabalenka finishes the 2026 season without any Grand Slam trophy—a first for her since 2022.
The final also marked the first instance since 2013 that the top two seeds met for the US Open women’s title, with Sabalenka entering as the top seed and Rybakina seeded second. Once more, the competitive landscape of women’s tennis is evolving, as fresh challengers continue to emerge in a sport traditionally dominated by a few. In the end, Rybakina’s poise and precision won the day; a clear reminder of how composure can outlast flair when the stakes are at their highest.
