Jelena Rybakina defeats Aryna Sabalenka to win US Open and take world number one ranking
Kazakhstan's Jelena Rybakina won her first US Open title in New York, defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6:4, 5:7, 6:2 to claim her third Grand Slam singles crown.
Championship victory and ranking change
Jelena Rybakina won her first US Open title on Saturday, defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6:4, 5:7, 6:2 in New York. The 27-year-old Kazakh player ended Sabalenka's 99-week reign as world number one and will officially take the top ranking on Monday. The victory earned Rybakina $5.5 million (approximately 4.7 million euros) in tournament prize money. It marks Rybakina's third Grand Slam singles title, adding to her 2022 Wimbledon victory and her Australian Open win in January 2026, where she also defeated Sabalenka in the final. The defeat stopped Sabalenka from completing three consecutive US Open titles, a feat achieved in the open era only by Chris Evert from 1975 to 1978 and Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014.
- Wins Wimbledon for her maiden Grand Slam singles title
- Defeats Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final
- Defeats Aryna Sabalenka 6:4, 5:7, 6:2 to win the US Open
Three-set final in Arthur Ashe Stadium
The final in Arthur Ashe Stadium began with both competitors trading heavy baseline groundstrokes. Rybakina earned two early break points in the opening game, but Sabalenka saved both and shouted encouragement to herself on court. Sabalenka conceded her serve at 2:3 with a double fault, after which the Belarusian hit a ball into the stands in frustration and received a code violation warning from the chair umpire. Rybakina captured the opening set 6:4 in 44 minutes despite landing only 27% of her first serves. Following the set loss, Sabalenka carried her bag into the locker room while Rybakina remained in lengthy discussions with her coaching team.
Second set rebound and deciding frame
Sabalenka changed her momentum in the second set, covering her head with a white towel during changeovers to manage the stadium atmosphere. The 28-year-old from Minsk reduced her unforced errors, showed greater tactical variety, and executed multiple successful drop shots to level the match by winning the set 7:5. In the final set, Rybakina took immediate control by securing an early break of serve. The Kazakh player maintained her baseline consistency before sealing the 6:2 set and the championship with an ace. The loss concluded a season without a Grand Slam title for Sabalenka, her first such year since 2023, while extending her title drought dating back to March.
- Rybakina breaks Sabalenka at 2:3 and wins 6:4 in 44 minutes despite 27% first serves in
- Sabalenka levels the match 7:5 using improved precision and successful drop shots
- Rybakina earns an early break and closes out the match 6:2 with an ace
Additional tournament results and attendees
Spectators in the stands included Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton, Pink, former champion Maria Sharapova, Boris Becker, Jake Paul, and Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam. Before the final, Sabalenka assessed the difficulty of the matchup.
It will be a physically and mentally difficult match.
In the men's singles semi-finals, French Open champion Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov 6:3, 7:6 (9:7), 7:6 (8:6) to reach his third Grand Slam final of the season. Zverev seeks to become the first German men's singles champion in New York since Boris Becker in 1989, and will face 23-year-old American Ben Shelton, who defeated Frances Tiafoe 4:6, 6:3, 6:3, 7:5.
Sometimes things go your way. I was so close so many times. Maybe God said, this year will be your year, just have fun on the court.
In the men's doubles final, the German pairing of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz lost 4:6, 6:7 (6:8) to Christian Harrison of the United States and Neal Skupski of Great Britain.
