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Rybakina Triumphs Over Sabalenka to Claim US Open Title
Confirmed
In Short: Kazakh tennis star Elena Rybakina overcame a pre-tournament ankle injury to defeat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling US Open final, securing her third Grand Slam title and cementing her status as the new world No. 1.
Kazakh tennis star Elena Rybakina overcame a pre-tournament ankle injury to defeat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling US Open final, securing her third Grand Slam title and cementing her status as the new world No. 1. The 27-year-old, who had never gone past the US Open fourth round until this year, delivered a devastating performance to dethrone the two-time defending champion, denying Sabalenka the chance to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert with three straight New York titles.
Rybakina's deep returning pinned Sabalenka to the baseline as she broke for a 2-1 lead, which allowed the incoming world number one to grow in stature. The second seed drew first blood to go ahead 3-2 following a Sabalenka double fault, with the frustrated Belarusian earning a code violation immediately afterwards for launching a ball high into the stands of the main showcourt.
Despite a sudden drop-off in Rybakina's level midway through the second set, Sabalenka's late aggression gave her hope. However, Rybakina's quality shone through as she took a commanding 5-2 lead and then closed out a famous triumph to leave her Belarusian rival without any major silverware in 2026. 'I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I'm falling in love with New York more and more,' Rybakina, 27, said.
Rybakina's deep returning pinned Sabalenka to the baseline as she broke for a 2-1 lead, which allowed the incoming world number one to grow in stature. From struggling to walk to lifting trophy - how Rybakina triumphed, the Kazakh tennis star's journey to the US Open title was a remarkable comeback. Not only was Rybakina able to play, but she cruised through her opening four matches thanks to a huge service game that rarely allowed opponents to get into points. Her next two wins over China's Zheng Qinwen and home favourite Coco Gauff required more work after losing the first sets, proving she had the durability to come through tough battles.
What's confirmed
- Kazakh tennis star Elena Rybakina overcame a pre-tournament ankle injury to defeat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling US Open final, securing her third Grand Slam title and cementing her status as the new world No. 1. The 27-year-old, who had never gone past the US Open fourth round until this year, delivered a devastating performance to dethrone the two-time defending champion, denying Sabalenka the chance to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert with three straight New York titles.
- Rybakina's deep returning pinned Sabalenka to the baseline as she broke for a 2-1 lead, which allowed the incoming world number one to grow in stature. The second seed drew first blood to go ahead 3-2 following a Sabalenka double fault, with the frustrated Belarusian earning a code violation immediately afterwards for launching a ball high into the stands of the main showcourt.
- Despite a sudden drop-off in Rybakina's level midway through the second set, Sabalenka's late aggression gave her hope. However, Rybakina's quality shone through as she took a commanding 5-2 lead and then closed out a famous triumph to leave her Belarusian rival without any major silverware in 2026. 'I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I'm falling in love with New York more and more,' Rybakina, 27, said.
- Rybakina's deep returning pinned Sabalenka to the baseline as she broke for a 2-1 lead, which allowed the incoming world number one to grow in stature. From struggling to walk to lifting trophy - how Rybakina triumphed, the Kazakh tennis star's journey to the US Open title was a remarkable comeback. Not only was Rybakina able to play, but she cruised through her opening four matches thanks to a huge service game that rarely allowed opponents to get into points. Her next two wins over China's Zheng Qinwen and home favourite Coco Gauff required more work after losing the first sets, proving she had the durability to come through tough battles.
What's still developing
- An ankle injury had threatened to derail Rybakina’s campaign even before the tournament started, but the 27-year-old shrugged off those concerns to add the US Open title to her Australian Open triumph this year and Wimbledon success in 2022.
- The title showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium had all the ingredients of a classic between the top two in the rankings, and though Sabalenka brought late aggression, Rybakina was typically unruffled and prevailed to pocket the $5.5m prize.
- Dressed in a yellow-and-black outfit that evoked a bee, Rybakina produced some stinging groundstrokes but was unable to make the early pressure count as Sabalenka unleashed big serves to hold firm in the pair’s third Grand Slam final meeting.
- Sabalenka’s irritation became increasingly evident with each missed shot and squandered opportunity, in stark contrast to the trademark calm etched on Rybakina’s face as the Kazakh tightened her grip on the opening set and clinched it with a tight hold.