Rybakina defeats Sabalenka to win first US Open title

Elena Rybakina has won her first US Open women’s singles title, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in New York.

The victory is Rybakina’s third Grand Slam crown, following Wimbledon in 2022 and the 2026 Australian Open. It also ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka was seeking to become the first woman since Serena Williams and Chris Evert to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. Instead, she will finish 2026 without a major title, according to the source report from Al Jazeera.

Rybakina, who had entered the tournament with reported concerns about an ankle injury, recovered from losing the second set to control the decider. The final was the players’ third Grand Slam meeting.

The result is expected to make Rybakina the new world number one when the official rankings are updated. Al Jazeera reported that she won a $5.5 million prize.