Ruthless Rybakina dethrones Sabalenka to capture first U.S. Open crown

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates with the winner's trophy after her final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka. | IMAGN IMAGES / via Reuters

Sep 13, 2026

NEW YORK – Elena Rybakina delivered a devastating display to dethrone two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 win in the U.S. Open final on Saturday, earning a third Grand Slam crown to accompany her ascent to world number one.

The Russian-born Kazakh’s icy composure on the grand stage helped her snap Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows and denied the Belarusian the chance to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert with three straight New York titles.

An ankle injury had threatened to derail Rybakina’s campaign even before the tournament started, but the 27-year-old shrugged off those concerns to add the U.S. Open title to her Australian Open triumph this year and Wimbledon success in 2022.

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