The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan overcame Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a tense final to win her first US Open title and officially dethrone the two-time defending champion as world No. 1.
The victory gave Rybakina her third career Grand Slam and a second major in 2026, after she also beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final in January.
—FROM INJURY DOUBT TO GRAND SLAM GLORY—
The triumph was almost unthinkable two weeks ago.
Rybakina aggravated a foot injury in Cincinnati during her quarter-final against Iga Swiatek. She arrived in New York unable to walk without pain and spent a full week off the practice courts.
“I was so unlucky with the injury, but I’m very proud,” Rybakina said after lifting the trophy. “I still can’t believe it.”
Despite that, the second seed stormed through her first four matches without dropping a set. She then beat Qinwen Zheng and Coco Gauff before the showdown with Sabalenka.
–HOW THE FINAL PLAYED OUT—
Rybakina struck first, taking the opening set 6-4 even as her first serve misfired.
Sabalenka, chasing a historic third straight US Open title, responded in the second. She broke in the 12th game to force a decider and keep her 19-match unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows alive.
But Rybakina regained control in the third. As Sabalenka’s frustration grew, the Kazakh stayed composed, broke early, and served for the title at 5-2.
Two double faults gave Sabalenka a glimpse of hope. Rybakina erased it instantly — with an ace on match point.
The win denied Sabalenka the chance to become the first woman since Serena Williams from 2012-2014 to win three US Opens in a row.
—A YEAR OF DOMINANCE ON HARD COURTS—
With the title, Rybakina becomes only the third woman this century to win both hard-court majors in the same season, joining Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber.
She is also the 30th different woman to reach world No. 1 on the WTA Tour, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.
Rybakina’s resume now reads: Wimbledon 2022, Australian Open 2026, US Open 2026. Only the French Open remains to complete a career Grand Slam.
For Sabalenka, it was heartbreak again. The Belarusian lost both hard-court Slam finals in 2026—to the same opponent.
—What’s next—
Rybakina now leads the WTA rankings and will head to the Asian swing as the player to beat. Sabalenka will look to respond in Wuhan and Beijing with the year-end No. 1 race still alive.
