Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan claimed her first US Open title on Saturday, September 12, 2026, defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. This victory marks Rybakina’s third Grand Slam title, following her wins at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier in 2026. Sabalenka, aiming for a third consecutive US Open title, fell short of her goal, which would have made her only the third woman in the Open era to achieve this feat after Chris Evert and Serena Williams. The match, lasting 2 hours and 21 minutes, was filled with tension and emotional moments for both players. Rybakina’s calm and composed style contrasted sharply with Sabalenka’s more emotional approach, which played a crucial role in her victory. In the first set, Rybakina struggled with her first serve but compensated with a strong return game that kept Sabalenka on the defensive. In the second set, Sabalenka improved her groundstrokes and forced a tiebreak to take the set. However, in the third set, Sabalenka made several unforced errors, allowing Rybakina to break her serve and take control of the match. Despite a moment of nerves when she double-faulted on her first championship point, Rybakina regained her composure, serving an ace to secure the title and solidify her position as the new world number one. Rybakina’s victory was especially impressive given that she had suffered an ankle injury during the Cincinnati Open and was unsure if she would be able to compete in New York. Despite the uncertainty, she not only played but also won her first four matches with ease, showcasing a powerful serve that kept opponents on edge. In subsequent matches against Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff, she demonstrated her resilience and ability to overcome challenges, which proved vital in her final match against Sabalenka. This win brings her one step closer to completing the career Grand Slam, with only the French Open remaining. Sabalenka, who had been the world number one for 99 consecutive weeks, expressed frustration after the match, hitting a ball into the stands and breaking her racket in the post-match celebration. She admitted to struggling with her emotions and acknowledged that she had not performed to her usual standard. Despite her loss, Sabalenka remained positive, emphasizing the lessons she learned from the tournament and her determination to improve for the future. Rybakina, now the third woman of the 21st century to win both the Australian Open and US Open in the same year, has firmly established herself as a top contender in women’s tennis, with her rivalry against Sabalenka set to continue.