US Open: Elena Rybakina cements her spot as world No 1 by dethroning two-time winner Aryna Sabalenka in New York
Elena Rybakina won her first US Open title and punctuated her climb to the top of women's tennis by beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 on Saturday; watch the US Open live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:13, UK
Elena Rybakina cemented her position as world No 1 by dethroning two-time US Open winner Aryna Sabalenka to seal her maiden title in New York.
Rybakina won her first US Open, beating top seed and defending champion Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 27-year-old had already been guaranteed to replace Sabalenka at No 1 in the rankings next week.
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Two-time defending champion Sabalenka was looking to become only the third woman to achieve a New York 'three-peat' in the Open era, after Chris Evert and Serena Williams.
Instead she was left sat in her chair, furiously smashing her racket in to smithereens as Rybakina, from Kazakhstan, celebrated a third Grand Slam title.
An ankle injury had threatened to derail Rybakina's campaign even before the tournament started, but she shrugged off those concerns to add the US Open title to her Australian Open triumph this year and Wimbledon success in 2022.
"It's tough to find words right now, honestly," said Rybakina. "I didn't expect anything like this, coming to this tournament.
"I was dealing with a bit of an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side. I want to say to Aryna, you are a great champion. It's so difficult to play against you, you push to such limits.
"I was doubting on the court and trying to get all the possible balls.
"I'm falling in love with New York more and more, and it's amazing memories for me."
All the ingredients of a classic...
The title showdown on a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium had all the ingredients of a classic between the top two in the rankings.
Dressed in a yellow-and-black outfit that evoked a bee, Rybakina produced some stinging groundstrokes but was unable to make the early pressure count as Sabalenka unleashed big serves to hold firm in the pair's third Grand Slam final meeting.
The second seed drew first blood to go ahead 3-2 following a Sabalenka double fault, with the frustrated Belarusian earning a code violation immediately afterwards for launching a ball high into the stands.
Sabalenka's irritation became increasingly evident with each missed shot and squandered opportunity, in stark contrast to the trademark calm etched on Rybakina's face as the Kazakh tightened her grip on the opening set and clinched it with a tight hold.
A sudden drop-off in Rybakina's level midway through the second set gave the 28-year-old Sabalenka hope, and she produced a stunning drop shot and a stunning backhand crosscourt winner en route to forcing a deciding set.
Sabalenka let out a huge roar after another backhand winner to hold in a tight opening game of the third set.
However, Rybakina's quality shone through her red-and-blue-framed racket as she took a commanding 5-2 lead and then closed out a famous triumph to leave her Belarusian rival without any major silverware in 2026.
Sabalenka said: "The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech, but I'll try my very best. Thank you everyone. Thank you for all your support.
"I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, an incredible result. Well deserved. Enjoy it tonight, and have fun. So I can win some titles!
"I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess there's next year."
The US Open is live on Sky Sports from August 30. Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can also watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.
