Summary
✓Reviewed by Laura Bennett Elena Rybakina defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the 2026 US Open women's singles final on Saturday, September 12, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, claiming her first US Open title...
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Elena Rybakina defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the 2026 US Open women’s singles final on Saturday, September 12, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, claiming her first US Open title and third career Grand Slam championship while clinching the world No. 1 ranking.
The 27-year-old Kazakh rallied after losing the second set to dominate the decider, breaking Sabalenka twice in the third set to end the Belarusian’s bid for an unprecedented three consecutive US Open crowns. The victory, which came in front of a capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, cements Rybakina’s place as the dominant force in women’s tennis heading into the final stretch of the 2026 season.
How Rybakina Won the Final
Rybakina set the tone early, breaking Sabalenka’s serve once in the opening set to take it 6-4. Her aggressive baseline game and powerful serve kept Sabalenka on the back foot throughout the first 40 minutes of the contest.
The second set saw a shift in momentum. Sabalenka, who had said before the tournament that she “would be more than happy to lose the number one and win the US Open” to achieve a three-peat, fought back. Rybakina held two set points but was unable to convert, and Sabalenka capitalised on the missed opportunities to take the set 7-5 and level the match.
The deciding third set, however, belonged entirely to Rybakina. She broke Sabalenka’s serve twice and conceded just two games to close out the match 6-2, according to ESPN’s live scoreboard.
What the Players Said
“Super happy, proud. I can’t find other words but definitely very happy and proud,” Rybakina told reporters after the match, according to the US Open’s official website. “I just tried to stay aggressive and keep fighting.”
The soft-spoken champion also credited her support team for the breakthrough in New York. “I think that now I have a very good team around me, good people,” she said.
Before the final, Rybakina had spoken about the significance of facing Sabalenka on this stage. “Of course there were nerves,” she said after her semifinal win over Coco Gauff. “I just took a deep breath and told myself that I need to fight. She’s an unbelievable player. I definitely need to serve much better than today and stay aggressive.”
Sabalenka, characteristically competitive even in defeat, offered a playful response when Rybakina congratulated her on a strong fortnight. “I will make sure it is the last time,” Sabalenka said with a grin, according to The Guardian, promising to reclaim the upper hand in their rivalry.
Rybakina’s Grand Slam Record
The US Open title is Rybakina’s third major championship, following her 2022 Wimbledon triumph and her 2026 Australian Open victory earlier this year. She has now won 14 WTA Tour-level singles titles in total, including the 2025 WTA Finals and two WTA 1000 events.
| Grand Slam | Year | Final Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon | 2022 | Ons Jabeur | 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 |
| Australian Open | 2026 | Aryna Sabalenka | Won in final |
| US Open | 2026 | Aryna Sabalenka | 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 |
With two Grand Slam titles in a single calendar year, Rybakina becomes only the second active player after Sabalenka — who won the 2024 Australian Open and 2024 US Open — to achieve the feat in recent years.
The Rivalry in Numbers
Saturday’s final was the latest chapter in one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s tennis. The Rybakina-Sabalenka head-to-head has been fiercely contested, with the pair meeting regularly on the sport’s biggest stages.
Going into the 2026 US Open, Sabalenka held the overall advantage in head-to-head meetings. However, Rybakina’s victory in the final narrows the gap and, crucially, gives her a Grand Slam final win over her rival — a milestone given that Sabalenka had previously led their encounters at majors.
Their 2026 season has been defined by this rivalry. The two met in the Australian Open final in January, where Rybakina also prevailed, and Saturday’s result suggests the balance of power has shifted decisively in the Kazakh’s favour heading into the year-end events.
World No. 1 Ranking Confirmed
Rybakina’s path to the world No. 1 ranking was confirmed before the final even began. She clinched the top spot by reaching the championship match, replacing Sabalenka at the summit for the first time in her career, according to the WTA.
“I feel like I don’t have a lot of pressure on myself because I know I’m going to be No. 1 regardless,” Rybakina said ahead of the final. The ranking change reflects a remarkable 2026 season in which she has won two Grand Slams and established herself as the most consistent performer on the women’s tour.
For Sabalenka, the loss means she drops to No. 2 for the first time since she reclaimed the top ranking during the 2025 season. The 28-year-old had been seeking to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997-99 to win three consecutive US Open titles.
Sabalenka’s Three-Peat Bid Falls Short
Sabalenka entered Arthur Ashe Stadium as the two-time defending US Open champion, having won the title in 2024 and 2025. She also holds four career Grand Slam titles — two Australian Open crowns (2023 and 2024) and two US Open trophies — making her the most successful active player at hard-court majors.
Her run to the 2026 final was not without drama. In the quarterfinals, Sabalenka needed three sets to overcome Linda Noskova. “I’m speechless right now. I was pushing to the limit in this match, especially in the third set,” Sabalenka said after that win, according to BBC Sport.
In the semifinals, she dispatched Jessica Pegula to set up the anticipated showdown with Rybakina. “I was super desperate,” Sabalenka admitted after the Pegula match. Despite the hunger and form she carried into the final, it was Rybakina who found another gear when it mattered most in the third set.
Singapore Angle: Fans Follow US Open Drama at Early Hours
The women’s final was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 12, which translated to 4:00 a.m. Singapore time on Sunday, September 13. Despite the unsociable hour, tennis fans across Singapore tuned in to watch the conclusion of one of the most anticipated finals of the season.
Tennis has a growing following in Singapore, where the sport’s profile has been boosted by the country’s hosting of the WTA Finals in previous years. Both Rybakina and Sabalenka have competed in Singapore-hosted events, giving local fans a personal connection to the rivalry.
With the men’s final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton still to come on Sunday, September 14 (Monday morning Singapore time), the 2026 US Open’s final weekend continues to command attention across the Asia-Pacific region.
What Comes Next
Rybakina will carry the No. 1 ranking into the Asian swing of the WTA Tour, which includes events in Beijing and Wuhan in October. She has now won two of the four Grand Slams in 2026, and only the French Open — where she lost in the quarterfinals — and Wimbledon remain outside her collection in a single season.
For Sabalenka, the focus will shift to regaining the top ranking and defending her points at the year-end WTA Finals. Their rivalry, already among the sport’s most compelling, will almost certainly produce more memorable encounters before the season concludes.
The men’s singles final, featuring Alexander Zverev against Ben Shelton, is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Coverage details are available via the Daily Match Report men’s final preview.
