Elena Rybakina claimed her third Grand Slam title at the 2026 US Open on Sunday, 13 September, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the women's singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York — a result that even the Kazakh herself described as beyond all expectation. The match lasted two hours and 21 minutes, a contest that swung decisively in Rybakina's favour after a spirited Sabalenka fightback in the second set.

Rybakina's Remarkable Road to the Title

The victory was all the more extraordinary given the circumstances surrounding Rybakina's preparation. She had not picked up a racquet for seven days before the tournament began, having battled an Achilles concern that at one point threatened her participation altogether. She managed only four days of practice before her opening match, making this title run one of the most unlikely in recent Grand Slam history.

'Just four days of practice, a lot of belief in yourself and talking with the team nonstop about the tactics, how I played in Canada, how I played in Cincinnati. I mean, it's just so many things. Everything went my way. I'm shocked,' she said after the final.

On the court, Rybakina threw caution to the wind over her injury: 'Everything was working today, and in these tight moments I was trying to push myself as hard as possible. On the court I was basically diving on all these balls; I did not care about my foot whatever happened, and it worked.'

A Season of Grand Slam Dominance

The Flushing Meadows crown is Rybakina's third title of the 2026 season and her third Major overall, taking her career tally to 14 titles. Earlier in the year she had already beaten Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, making Sunday's rematch a defining chapter in what is fast becoming one of women's tennis's great rivalries. Rybakina is now one French Open title away from completing a career Grand Slam.

Reflecting on a decade of near-misses at Flushing Meadows, Rybakina said: 'I honestly was coming here for the last ten years, and it was never successful. Nothing close to that. It's just incredible. I am falling in love with New York more and more.'

Rybakina's Tribute to Sabalenka

Despite the rivalry's intensity, Rybakina was generous in her praise for Aryna Sabalenka after their latest high-stakes encounter. 'Aryna, you are a wonderful champion. It's so difficult to play against you; you push to such limits. I was dying on the court against you. I was just trying to get all the possible balls,' she said. Sabalenka had pushed Rybakina hard, taking the second set 7-5 to level the match before the Kazakh asserted control in the decider.

World No. 1 Ranking From Monday

The triumph carries consequences well beyond the trophy: Rybakina will rise to world No. 1 in the WTA rankings from Monday, 14 September, ending Sabalenka's second stint at the top. Notably, Sabalenka's first reign at No. 1 lasted only eight weeks back in 2023. The shift in rankings signals a broader power realignment at the summit of women's tennis, with Rybakina now holding the top position and three Slams to her name. All eyes will turn to the clay season — and the French Open — where the final piece of the career Grand Slam awaits.