Elena Rybakina emerged victorious over Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling US Open final, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, and asserting her dominance in women’s tennis. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan showcased her resilience and skill, overcoming the top-seeded and two-time reigning champion despite initial difficulties with her first serve. Rybakina’s powerful baseline play helped her gain the upper hand, but Sabalenka mounted a comeback, pushing the match into a decisive third set.
In the final set, Rybakina maintained her composure, delivering her best serves at critical junctures and keeping constant pressure on Sabalenka. She clinched the match with her 12th ace, celebrating her significant achievement by raising both hands in triumph, adding another major title to her collection. This victory caps off an extraordinary period for Rybakina, who battled through an Achilles injury leading up to the tournament and faced the additional challenge of vying for the world No. 1 ranking. Her path to the final saw her defeating several Grand Slam and Olympic champions.
With this win, Rybakina has solidified her status as the premier hard-court player globally, having now claimed titles at the Australian Open, US Open, and WTA Finals. The US Open victory marks her third Grand Slam title, complementing her Wimbledon triumph in 2022 and Australian Open success in 2026. Meanwhile, for Sabalenka, the loss put an end to her quest for a third consecutive US Open title. Despite reaching eight straight Grand Slam finals on hard courts, she has found it challenging to convert these opportunities into championships.
The final also highlighted the growing intensity of the rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka. Rybakina has now bested Sabalenka in their last three major final encounters, including two Grand Slam finals this year. This victory not only earned Rybakina the No. 1 world ranking, displacing Sabalenka, but also signaled a potential new chapter in women’s tennis, characterized by their compelling rivalry that might shape the sport’s future trajectory.