Overview
- Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 to claim her first U.S. Open title.
- The victory gives Rybakina her third Grand Slam crown, follows her Australian Open win earlier this year, and earns the $5.5 million champion’s prize.
- Rybakina reached the top of the WTA standings by advancing to the semifinals and will officially replace Sabalenka as world No. 1 in the next rankings update.
- The loss denied Sabalenka a rare third consecutive U.S. Open title and ended her long winning run at Flushing Meadows, while leaving her briefly emotional and reflective after the match.
- The tournament concludes with the men’s final on Sunday between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton, whose run has renewed talk of an American man ending a long major drought.