Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to seal dramatic US Open title triumph
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set match to win the 2026 US Open title. This victory marks a career milestone for Rybakina, who has now secured the world number one ranking.
Why it matters
The result shifts the power dynamic in professional women's tennis, establishing Rybakina as the new standard-bearer for the sport.
Elena Rybakina shows off the trophy in New York after beating rival Aryna Sabalenka Photograph: Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images/Reuters Elena Rybakina shows off the trophy in New York after beating rival Aryna Sabalenka Photograph: Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images/Reuters US Open Tennis 2026 Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to seal dramatic US Open title triumph Rybakina wins 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 despite first-serve problems
Overcomes top seed and two-time defending champion
Prefer the Guardian on Google Even after she had won grand slam titles and conquered all surfaces, Elena Rybakina has always been considered lesser than the greatest players of her era. She has long been one of the most devastating shotmakers in the world, but there were always a couple more consistent and mentally tougher players above her.
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