Elena Rybakina dethrones Aryna Sabalenka with her first US Open crown

NEW YORK — Elena Rybakina met the moment of her first US Open championship with a mild smile and composed poise, a stark contrast to the image of Aryna Sabalenka sitting in her chair, furiously smashing her racket to smithereens. The victory on Saturday, September 12, 2026, was more than a trophy win; it was the final act in a week where Rybakina stripped Sabalenka of both her dominance in Queens and her world number one ranking. Rybakina, the 27-year-old from Kazakhstan, secured the title with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory in two hours and 21 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The win marks Rybakina's third Grand Slam title and her second of 2026, following her triumph at the Australian Open in January. For Sabalenka, the loss ended a 19-match winning streak in New York and a failed bid to become the first woman since Serena Williams to achieve a US Open "three-peat."

The Invisible Battle: From MRI to Arthur Ashe

Rybakina’s presence in the final was far from guaranteed. The recovery process in New York was a private, rigorous operation. Rybakina revealed she underwent an MRI upon arrival that didn't look that great, necessitating extensive consultations with doctors, including her physician based in Australia. Her routine involved three hours of daily gym work and mental resets, including watching a movie on her first day in the city and taking dinners to clear her mind.

Tactical Breakdown: Ice vs. Fire

The match played out as a clash of temperaments. Rybakina, often nicknamed the Ice Queen on tour, maintained a clinical level of precision. BBC analysis noted that Rybakina appeared totally unfazed by the ranking stakes, playing like a machine and committing only one unforced error in the first seven games. Sabalenka, conversely, struggled with her own volatility. Early in the first set, she received a code violation for ball abuse after hitting a ball into the crowd. While she surged in the second set — saving crucial break points and delivering a virtuosic drop shot to take it 7-5, her composure fractured in the decider.

Metric	Elena Rybakina	Aryna Sabalenka
Match Score	6-4, 5-7, 6-2	4-6, 7-5, 2-6
Aces	12	Not specified
Unforced Errors	24	35
Prize Money	$5.5 million	$2.8 million
Post-Match Ranking	No. 1	No. 2

The third set was decided by Rybakina's power and consistency. She broke early for a 2-1 lead and eventually moved to 5-2, utilizing a forehand volley winner to seal the second break. Sabalenka's frustrations peaked as she smashed her third racket of the day, a reaction she later attributed to the difficulty of controlling emotions when losing a grand slam final while chasing a historic three-peat.

The Hardcourt Nightmare

The result reinforces a growing trend in the head-to-head dynamics between the two players. While Sabalenka leads the overall career rivalry 10-8, Rybakina holds an 8-7 edge on hardcourts. More significantly, Rybakina has now beaten Sabalenka in two major finals this year, having previously triumphed at the Australian Open in January. The victory was witnessed by a celebrity-heavy crowd including Brad Pitt, Jake Paul, and former champions Jennifer Capriati and Gabriela Sabatini. In a symbolic passing of the torch, the trophy was presented to Rybakina by fellow Russian-born star Maria Sharapova.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Rybakina's ranking change?

Rybakina officially becomes world No. 1 on Monday, overtaking Sabalenka, who had held the top position for 99 consecutive weeks.

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Who are the only other women to achieve a US Open "three-peat"?

Only Chris Evert and Serena Williams have won three consecutive US Open titles in the Open era.

What was the financial impact of the win?

Rybakina earned $5.5 million, which is reported as a record payout for a grand slam title.

The loss leaves Sabalenka in a rare position of vulnerability. For the first time since 2022, the Belarusian will end the season without a major title. In a tearful admission following the match, Sabalenka stated that she hoped to perform better and expressed her desire to win titles next year.

Clash of the Titans: Rivalry by the Numbers

The victory shifts the psychological balance of one of the tour's most intense rivalries. While Sabalenka maintains a career lead, the current trajectory favors the new world number one.

Rivalry Metric	Detail
Overall Head-to-Head	Sabalenka leads 10-8
Hardcourt Head-to-Head	Rybakina leads 8-7
2026 Major Finals	Rybakina won both (Australian Open, US Open)
First Set Correlation	Winner of 1st set won 15 of 18 meetings
Wins vs. World No. 1	Rybakina has 10 (6 against Sabalenka)

According to Yahoo Canada, Sabalenka's loss leaves her with a record of 4-5 in major finals. In contrast, Rybakina’s triumph ends a decade of frustration in the city; she noted that for the previous 10 years she had visited New York, nothing had come close to this success. The precision Rybakina displayed was nearly absolute in the opening set. Rybakina committed zero unforced errors through the first seven games, while Sabalenka struggled with her aim and body language. Even in the final serving game, where nerves appeared as Rybakina double-faulted on her first match point, she remained composed enough to clinch the title with her 12th ace of the match. The immediate consequence of the result is a dramatic shift in the hierarchy of women's tennis. Sabalenka’s 99-week reign, the sixth-longest in the history of the sport, ends this Monday. For Sabalenka, the emotional toll was evident; she admitted in tears that she wanted to let the aggression and disappointment go outside rather than hold it inside. The tennis world now turns to the remaining championship match. For the athletes and officials at Flushing Meadows, the next step is the men's singles final between top seed Alexander Zverev and American Ben Shelton.