By Leo Canaparo. Photo Courtesy USTA
Elena Rybakina has done it again. The Kazakh star defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final to claim her first title in New York.Rybakina’s tennis is built around speed, power and remarkable efficiency. Her serve is one of the biggest weapons in the game, while her flat, penetrating groundstrokes allow her to take control of rallies from the very first ball. She plays fast, strikes cleanly and puts enormous pressure on her opponents without needing to overcomplicate the game. Against Sabalenka, that combination was once again decisive.
This victory adds another important chapter to the growing Rybakina-Sabalenka rivalry. The two players have already shared major finals, including the 2023 Australian Open, won by Sabalenka, and the 2026 Australian Open, where Rybakina claimed her second Grand Slam title. Now, with another major victory over the Belarusian, Rybakina has established herself as a genuine rival at the very top of the women’s game.
The US Open triumph caps an extraordinary season for Rybakina. After winning the Australian Open earlier this year, she has now added another hard-court major and moved to the top of the WTA rankings. Wimbledon 2022 was where she announced herself as a Grand Slam champion. New York 2026 is where she has confirmed that she belongs among the very best.
With her explosive game, quiet confidence and growing rivalry with Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina is no longer simply one of the most dangerous players on tour. She is becoming the player everyone must beat.