It was a dramatic night in US Open tennis. Elena Rybakina edged Aryna Sabalenka in a pulsating US Open 2026 final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, denying the defending champion a historic three-peat. Rybakina recovered from losing the second set 7-5 to produce a composed deciding-set display and secure her first US Open title.
The victory also completed a remarkable rise for the Kazakh, who entered the final already guaranteed to become the new world No. 1. The Sabalenka vs Rybakina final result capped one of the tournament’s most anticipated showdowns.
US Open Final: Rybakina Strikes First Before Sabalenka Bounces Back
Rybakina established control early, taking the opening set 6-4 behind fierce baseline hitting and relentless pressure on Sabalenka’s second serve. Despite landing only 28% of her first serves, she won 88% of those points and took 64% against Sabalenka’s second delivery.
Sabalenka responded with greater aggression in the second set. She survived two break points at 2-1 before gradually turning the momentum. At 5-5, she created her first break points of the match but Rybakina saved both. Sabalenka eventually forced another opportunity late in the set and converted to win 7-5, sending the final into a decider.
Rybakina Regains Control In Deciding Set To Become US Open 2026 Champion
The third set became a test of nerve as both players traded heavy blows from the baseline. Rybakina quickly regained her authority, breaking Sabalenka to move ahead and putting the defending champion under scoreboard pressure.
Sabalenka fought to stay within striking distance, but Rybakina’s serve and first-strike tennis remained decisive. The Kazakh refused to allow the match to become another momentum swing, repeatedly finding the corners and forcing Sabalenka to manufacture points under pressure.
The victory delivered Rybakina’s maiden US Open crown and her third Grand Slam title. It also completed a striking reversal from the Australian Open final earlier in 2026, where Rybakina had defeated Sabalenka in three sets.
For Sabalenka, the defeat ended her bid to join Serena Williams and Chris Evert as a three-time consecutive US Open champion. Rybakina, meanwhile, leaves New York as the US Open champion and world No. 1, completing a landmark fortnight.
