Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win US Open and take world number one spot

Three-set final on Arthur Ashe

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan defeated Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win the US Open women's singles championship at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The final concluded in the night between Saturday and Sunday with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 after 2 hours and 21 minutes of play. Rybakina dictated the opening set with powerful, nearly flawless baseline tennis, taking an early one-set lead against the two-time defending champion. Sabalenka, entering New York as the top-seeded player, fought back in the second set to force a decider by winning it 7-5. Rybakina regained the upper hand in the third set by breaking Sabalenka's serve twice, protecting her advantage without conceding another break and converting her second match point to secure her first US Open crown.

Grand Slam records and world ranking

The triumph in New York represents Rybakina's third career Grand Slam singles title, adding to her victory at Wimbledon in 2022 and her title at the Australian Open earlier in the year. Tournament reports also noted that she became the first female player since 2016 to claim three Grand Slam titles within a single calendar year. Following the tournament, Rybakina takes over the world number one ranking from Sabalenka, with the change taking official effect on Monday. Rybakina had already guaranteed the top ranking by defeating Chinese player Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinal stage, entering the championship match as the confirmed upcoming world number one. Sabalenka remains at 4 Grand Slam titles across 9 career finals, having previously won the Australian Open twice alongside her two titles in New York.

Head-to-head record and 2026 rivalry

The final was the 18th career meeting between Rybakina and Sabalenka on the professional tennis tour. Prior to this match in New York, Sabalenka held a 10-7 lead in their overall head-to-head series. Rybakina had nonetheless established an advantage in championship deciders, as Sabalenka had won only two of their six previous finals. The two competitors met repeatedly across the 2026 season: Rybakina prevailed in their Grand Slam final clash at the Australian Open, whereas Sabalenka recorded victories over the Kazakh player in WTA hard-court tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami.

Sabalenka's title streak stopped in New York

The defeat ended Sabalenka's bid to win three consecutive US Open titles, an achievement last completed by Serena Williams during her run from 2012 to 2014. The 28-year-old Belarusian was competing in her fourth consecutive US Open final, having won the tournament in both 2024 and 2025. Defeats in Flushing Meadows have been rare for Sabalenka in recent years, though she fell short against Rybakina's aggressive ball striking in the final set. In the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam and partner Jake Paul watched the contest from Sabalenka's player box.