Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win 2026 US Open women’s title

Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium to claim the 2026 US Open women's singles title, her third Grand Slam championship and second of the year. The victory cemented Rybakina's status as the new world No. 1, a ranking she clinched earlier in the tournament after ending Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top.nytimes+3

The result denied Sabalenka what would have been a historic third consecutive US Open title. Sabalenka had reached her fourth straight final in New York after a convincing 7-5, 6-2 win over Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.wtatennis+1

A Rivalry Renewed

The final was a rematch of the 2026 Australian Open, where Rybakina also came out on top in three sets, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to claim her second Grand Slam title. It marked the third time the two had met in a Grand Slam final, following their encounter at the 2023 Australian Open. Sabalenka entered the match holding a 10-7 advantage in their career head-to-head record.cnet+3

Rybakina's path to the final was far from smooth. She dropped the opening set in both her quarterfinal against Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and her semifinal against Coco Gauff before rallying to win both matches in three sets. Her quarterfinal victory over Zheng was the result that mathematically secured the No. 1 ranking, making her the 30th woman to hold the top spot in WTA history.bbc+3

Rybakina's Dominant 2026 Season

The Kazakhstan native's triumph in New York caps a remarkable season that began with her Australian Open victory in January. "It's just a number right now and of course my goal is to win the tournament," Rybakina said after clinching the No. 1 ranking earlier in the week, a comment that now reads as an understatement given her run to the title.cnn

For Sabalenka, the defeat ends a stretch of dominance at Flushing Meadows that saw her win back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. She had appeared in strong form throughout the fortnight, losing just one set before the final and surviving a tense quarterfinal against Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková.techradar+1

The men's singles final is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, closing out the tournament's final day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.youtube