Elena Rybakina emerged victorious at the US Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a thrilling final to solidify her place as a dominant force in women’s tennis. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan overcame the challenge posed by Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time defending champion, even as she initially struggled with her first serve. Rybakina’s formidable baseline game helped her gain an early advantage, though Sabalenka rallied to push the match into a decisive third set.
In the final set, Rybakina maintained her composure, delivering some of her best serves at pivotal moments and exerting continuous pressure on her opponent. She clinched the victory with her 12th ace, raising her hands in triumph as she captured another major title. This win marks a significant achievement for Rybakina, who managed to succeed despite dealing with an Achilles injury before the tournament and the intense pressure of contending for the world No 1 ranking. Her path to the final saw her overcome several Grand Slam and Olympic champions.
Rybakina’s triumph at the US Open adds to her impressive resume, which now includes titles at the Australian Open, US Open, and WTA Finals, establishing her as the leading hard-court player globally. With this victory, she now boasts three Grand Slam titles, having previously won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026. Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s defeat halted her quest for a third consecutive US Open championship. Despite reaching eight straight Grand Slam finals on hard courts, Sabalenka has found it challenging to secure titles consistently.
The final further intensifies an escalating rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka, with Rybakina claiming victory in their last three major championship meetings, including two Grand Slam finals this year. Taking over the No 1 ranking from Sabalenka, Rybakina now stands as the leader in women’s tennis, setting the stage for a rivalry that could shape the sport’s future.