In a thrilling US Open final, Elena Rybakina emerged victorious over Aryna Sabalenka with a scoreline of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, solidifying her position as a dominant force in women’s tennis. Despite facing challenges with her first serve early on, the 27-year-old Kazakhstani player utilized her formidable baseline game to gain the upper hand. Although Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time defending champion, fought back to push the match into a deciding third set, Rybakina’s poise and powerful serving in crucial moments ultimately secured her the title.
This win marks a remarkable triumph for Rybakina, who had been dealing with an Achilles injury leading up to the tournament and was under pressure to vie for the world No. 1 ranking. Her journey to the final included victories over several Grand Slam and Olympic champions, underscoring her status as the leading hard-court player globally. With this US Open victory, Rybakina has now claimed three Grand Slam titles, adding to her previous successes at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026, along with winning the WTA Finals.
For Sabalenka, the defeat halted her pursuit of a third consecutive US Open title, marking her eighth straight Grand Slam final appearance on hard courts where she has often faced challenges in converting those opportunities into wins. The final added another chapter to the intense rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka, with Rybakina winning their last three major championship encounters, including two Grand Slam finals this year.
With this victory, Rybakina ascends to the No. 1 spot in the world rankings, overtaking Sabalenka, and heralding a new era in women’s tennis. Their rivalry promises to be a defining feature of the sport’s next phase, as both players continue to push each other to greater heights on the biggest stages. Rybakina’s triumph, marked by her 12th ace that sealed the match, was celebrated with her raising both hands, a gesture highlighting her ascent to the pinnacle of women’s tennis.