Elena Rybakina, the newly crowned world No. 1, delivered a stunning performance at the 2026 U.S. Open by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the Women’s Singles Final, ending Sabalenka’s quest for a historic three-peat. The intense match on September 12 in Arthur Ashe Stadium saw Rybakina clinch victory with scores of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 before a crowd exceeding 23,000. Despite a shaky first match point where she double-faulted, Rybakina secured the championship with her 12th ace, marking her third Grand Slam title and first U.S. Open win.

Rybakina’s journey to the title was remarkable, especially after recovering from a left ankle and foot injury that forced her withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals. Throughout the year, she had repeatedly bested Sabalenka, including at the Australian Open final earlier and last year’s WTA Tour Finals. Her win not only disrupted Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak in New York but also elevated Rybakina’s record against world No. 1 players to an impressive 10 wins, six of those against Sabalenka specifically.

Financially, Rybakina earned $5.5 million for her U.S. Open victory, almost doubling the $2.8 million prize awarded to Sabalenka, who has held the world No. 1 ranking for an impressive 99 consecutive weeks. The match was closely watched by celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Jake Paul, along with former U.S. Open champions Jennifer Capriati and Gabriela Sabatini, highlighting the event's high profile. On court, Sabalenka graciously acknowledged Rybakina’s outstanding year and results despite her disappointment.

The final set demonstrated Rybakina’s composure and skill, as she broke Sabalenka early and held her serve flawlessly, including five aces in that decisive set. Her victory promises a new era atop women’s tennis, as she officially takes over the No. 1 ranking soon. The win solidifies Rybakina’s status as a top competitor and disrupts Sabalenka’s dominance, setting up an exciting rivalry moving forward in the sport.