Rybakina beats Gauff to claim world No. 1 and US Open final vs Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the 2026 U.S. Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium to win her first U.S. Open title and third Grand Slam. The victory, her second major of 2026, will make Rybakina the first player from Kazakhstan to reach world No. 1 when rankings are updated Monday, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign. Rybakina overcame injury concerns and used 12 aces and steady play in the deciding set to beat Sabalenka, who had sought a third consecutive U.S. Open title and fifth Grand Slam. The loss ended Sabalenka’s 19-match U.S. Open winning streak; she smashed rackets and received a code violation for ball abuse. Rybakina has now beaten Sabalenka in both of their hard-court Grand Slam finals this year and earned a record $5.5 million prize.