Elena Rybakina ended Aryna Sabalenka’s two-year reign at the US Open with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory in the women’s singles final, securing her first title at Flushing Meadows and reclaiming the world No 1 ranking.
The second-seeded Rybakina delivered a composed performance against the top seed and two-time defending champion in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. She prevented Sabalenka from winning a third consecutive US Open crown, according to the US Open website.
Rybakina will rise to the top of the WTA rankings when they are updated on Monday, replacing Sabalenka, who had held the No 1 position for 99 consecutive weeks.
This victory added to Rybakina’s success over Sabalenka in their rivalry, which has featured several major meetings. While Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 10-7, Rybakina previously defeated her in the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh and the 2026 Australian Open final. Sabalenka responded with wins in the Indian Wells final and the Miami semifinals before this encounter.
The final began with both players exchanging powerful groundstrokes from the baseline, but Rybakina was the more consistent player early on. She secured the first break to lead 3-2 and consolidated with a comfortable hold. Maintaining pressure with her serve and aggressive returns, Rybakina earned her first set point at 5-4, ultimately closing out the opening set 6-4.
Sabalenka improved in the second set, raising the intensity. Facing three break points while serving at 5-5, she saved them to take a 6-5 lead. She then created and converted a break point that doubled as a set point, leveling the match at one set each.
Rybakina regained control in the deciding set. She broke early to lead 2-1 and remained patient during extended baseline rallies, capitalising on Sabalenka’s errors to extend her advantage to 4-2. At 4-2, she produced one of the match’s notable points, rushing the net to finish with a sharp volley after forcing Sabalenka wide.
Serving for the championship at 5-2, Rybakina missed her first championship point with a double fault but quickly recovered, sealing the title with an ace on the next point.
The win marked Rybakina’s first US Open crown and her third Grand Slam title, having previously won Wimbledon in 2022 and the 2026 Australian Open.
Sabalenka was denied the chance to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three successive US Open singles titles.
This final was also historically significant as it was the first US Open women’s singles final featuring the No 1 and No 2 seeds since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka.
Rybakina’s victory capped a remarkable fortnight in New York and ensured her US Open title was accompanied by a return to the summit of women’s tennis.