Elena Rybakina Wins First US Open Title and Rises to World No. 1

VoS NEWS DESK | SPORTS | 13 September 2026

Rybakina produced a composed and powerful performance to overcome two-time defending champion Sabalenka in a final that lasted two hours and 22 minutes. After taking the opening set, Rybakina was pushed into a deciding third set when Sabalenka fought back to win the second 7–5. Rybakina then regained control, winning the final set 6–2 to secure the championship.

The victory represents a major milestone in Rybakina’s career. The 27-year-old had already established herself as one of the leading players in women's tennis, but winning in New York adds another major trophy to her collection and confirms her status among the sport's elite.

Rybakina's Grand Slam record now includes the 2022 Wimbledon title, the 2026 Australian Open crown and the 2026 US Open championship. Her latest victory also makes her only the third woman this century to win both hard-court Grand Slam tournaments in the same year, joining an elite group that includes Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber.

Her triumph is even more impressive considering the injury concerns that surrounded her before the tournament. An ankle injury had forced Rybakina to withdraw from the Cincinnati tournament only weeks before the US Open, raising doubts over whether she would be able to compete at her best in New York.

Instead, she recovered in time and produced a series of high-level performances throughout the tournament. Her route to the title included victories over major opponents, including Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, before she faced Sabalenka in the championship match.

The final also carried major significance for Sabalenka. The Belarusian entered the match seeking a third consecutive US Open title, a feat that would have placed her among the most dominant players in the tournament's history. Rybakina's victory ended that ambition and snapped Sabalenka's 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka nevertheless mounted a strong challenge. After losing the first set 6–4, she fought back aggressively in the second and levelled the match by winning it 7–5. The momentum, however, shifted again in the deciding set as Rybakina maintained her composure and produced powerful groundstrokes to take control.

The victory also ends Sabalenka's long period at the top of women's tennis. Rybakina's new world No. 1 ranking marks another significant shift in the competitive landscape of the WTA Tour and underlines how closely contested the women's game has become.

The growing rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka has become one of the most compelling match-ups in modern women's tennis. Their contrasting styles, powerful baseline exchanges and repeated meetings in major tournaments have produced several high-profile battles, with both players continuing to challenge each other for the biggest trophies.

For Rybakina, the US Open victory also demonstrates remarkable resilience. Rather than allowing injury concerns or the pressure of facing the defending champion to affect her campaign, she maintained a calm approach and delivered her best tennis when the stakes were highest.

Her performance in New York could have wider implications for the remainder of the season. Becoming world No. 1 while holding two Grand Slam titles in the same calendar year gives Rybakina a strong platform to establish herself as the leading player on the women's circuit.

The result is also a significant moment for Kazakhstan. Rybakina's international success has helped raise the country's profile in world tennis, while her continued presence at the top of the rankings is likely to inspire another generation of young players.

VoS STRATEGIC INSIGHT

Elena Rybakina's US Open triumph is more than another Grand Slam victory. It marks the arrival of a new world No. 1 at a time when women's tennis is experiencing an increasingly competitive era. Her ability to recover from injury, defeat elite opponents and overcome the defending champion demonstrates the level of consistency required to dominate at the highest level.

Her victory over Sabalenka also signals an important change in the balance of power at the top of the WTA rankings. With Rybakina now holding the Australian Open and US Open titles in the same year, she has positioned herself as one of the defining players of the 2026 season.

The rivalry with Sabalenka is unlikely to end in New York. Both players remain among the strongest competitors in women's tennis, and their future meetings could become some of the most anticipated matches on the tour.

For Rybakina, however, the message from New York is already clear: she has moved from being a Grand Slam contender to becoming the world No. 1 and one of the central figures of women's tennis.

Source: Reuters • US Open 2026