Rybakina wins US Open to inflict further pain on Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina captured her first US Open crown by defeating two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6‑4, 5‑7, 6‑2 in the final at Flushing Meadows, a win that also secured her the world No. 1 ranking. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh displayed composure throughout the three‑set battle, overcoming an early service dip and a double fault on her first championship point to close out the match with an ace. Rybakina, already a Wimbledon (2022) and Australian Open (2024) champion, entered the final knowing the title would elevate her to the top of the rankings, and she fulfilled that expectation by outlasting the Belarusian, who had been seeking a third consecutive US Open triumph.

The victory was especially significant given Rybakina’s recent injury concerns; she had struggled to walk after an ankle problem in the Cincinnati Open quarter‑finals and doubted her ability to compete in New York. Despite that setback, she breezed through her first four rounds on the strength of a dominant serve, then rallied from set down against Zheng Qinwen and home favourite Coco Gauff to reach the final. Against Sabalenka, Rybakina combined her powerful first‑strike tennis with a relentless return game, pinning the Belarusian to the baseline and exploiting Sabalenka’s occasional loose shots and mounting negativity in the decisive third set.

Sabalenka’s loss marks her fifth defeat in nine major finals, reinforcing a narrative that she has struggled to convert her talent into Grand Slam titles despite four major singles crowns. Her visible frustration—yelling, flinging arms, and hiding under a towel—underscored the pressure of defending her ranking and chasing a historic third US Open. Rybakina’s triumph not only crowns a standout 2026 season but also positions her as the sport’s new dominant force, leaving Sabalenka to reassess her approach ahead of the next major.

⚡ Effects Interpreter