Elena Rybakina Wins US Open for the First Time and Becomes World No. 1
Sport
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has won the US Open for the first time in her career, defeating Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final. The victory gave the 27-year-old her third Grand Slam title and confirmed her rise to the top of the WTA rankings.
The final added another chapter to the rivalry between two of women’s tennis’ leading players. Rybakina took the opening set 6-4, but Sabalenka responded by winning the second 7-5. Rybakina then regained control in the deciding set, closing out the match 6-2.
It was Rybakina’s first US Open title. She previously won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026. Her victory in New York gives her three Grand Slam championships. According to the WTA, Rybakina’s win also ended Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak at the US Open.
Rybakina had already secured the No. 1 ranking before the final. She guaranteed the top spot by reaching the semifinals and officially replaced Sabalenka at No. 1 after the tournament. Sabalenka had spent 99 consecutive weeks at the top and 107 weeks overall as the world’s No. 1 player.
Rybakina’s run to the final included a semifinal victory over American Coco Gauff, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. She then faced Sabalenka in the final, repeating their Grand Slam meeting from the 2026 Australian Open, where Rybakina also prevailed.
Rybakina was born in Moscow and initially represented Russia early in her career. Since 2018, she has competed under the flag of Kazakhstan. She now has three Grand Slam titles and has completed her US Open breakthrough as the newly crowned world No. 1.
It was Rybakina’s first US Open title. She previously won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026. Her victory in New York gives her three Grand Slam championships. According to the WTA, Rybakina’s win also ended Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak at the US Open.
Rybakina had already secured the No. 1 ranking before the final. She guaranteed the top spot by reaching the semifinals and officially replaced Sabalenka at No. 1 after the tournament. Sabalenka had spent 99 consecutive weeks at the top and 107 weeks overall as the world’s No. 1 player.
Rybakina’s run to the final included a semifinal victory over American Coco Gauff, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. She then faced Sabalenka in the final, repeating their Grand Slam meeting from the 2026 Australian Open, where Rybakina also prevailed.
Rybakina was born in Moscow and initially represented Russia early in her career. Since 2018, she has competed under the flag of Kazakhstan. She now has three Grand Slam titles and has completed her US Open breakthrough as the newly crowned world No. 1.
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