In a gripping US Open final, Elena Rybakina emerged victorious over Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, solidifying her status as a dominant force in women’s tennis. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan triumphed over the top seed and two-time defending champion, despite initially struggling with her first serve. Rybakina’s powerful baseline play allowed her to seize the advantage, although Sabalenka rallied to push the match to a decisive third set.
Rybakina’s composure in the final set was evident as she delivered her best serving performance when it mattered most, exerting consistent pressure on Sabalenka. The match concluded with Rybakina’s 12th ace, prompting her to celebrate the hard-fought victory by raising both hands. This title marks a significant milestone in Rybakina’s career, coming on the heels of overcoming an Achilles injury and the pressure of vying for the world No. 1 ranking. Her path to the final included victories over several Grand Slam and Olympic champions.
With her US Open win, Rybakina has now captured the Australian Open, US Open, and WTA Finals titles, establishing herself as the preeminent player on hard courts. This triumph adds to her collection of Grand Slam titles, which also includes a Wimbledon victory in 2022 and an Australian Open win in 2026. Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s defeat halted her pursuit of a third consecutive US Open title, marking her eighth consecutive Grand Slam final appearance on hard courts without securing the championship.
The final underscored the growing intensity of the rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka. Rybakina has now bested Sabalenka in their last three major championship meetings, including two Grand Slam finals in the current year. As Rybakina ascends to the world No. 1 ranking, overtaking Sabalenka, the women’s tennis landscape anticipates a compelling rivalry that could shape the sport’s future.