Elena Rybakina bests defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first U.S. Open
Updated on: September 12, 2026 / 8:18 PM EDT / AP
TL;DR
- Elena Rybakina won her first U.S. Open title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
- Rybakina will become the No. 1 ranked player in women's tennis next week, replacing Sabalenka.
- This is Rybakina's third Grand Slam title and second of the year, both against Sabalenka on hard courts.
- Rybakina ended Sabalenka's 19-match winning streak at the U.S. Open.
- Rybakina earned $5.5 million, the largest prize in Grand Slam history.
- Sabalenka was attempting to win her third consecutive U.S. Open title.
- Rybakina, who represents Kazakhstan, won her first major title at Wimbledon in 2022 and needs only the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.