Elena Rybakina has been crowned the 2026 US Open women's singles champion after defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a gripping final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

The victory marks Rybakina's first US Open title and the third Grand Slam championship of her career. The 27-year-old Kazakh also won the Australian Open earlier this year, adding another major trophy to her Wimbledon triumph from 2022.

The final featured two of women's tennis' most powerful players, with top seed Sabalenka and No. 2 seed Rybakina battling from the baseline.

Rybakina made the early breakthrough, taking a 3-2 lead after a Sabalenka double fault. She maintained her advantage and eventually claimed the opening set 6-4.

Sabalenka responded strongly in the second set. With her aggressive groundstrokes and powerful serving, she fought back and eventually took the set 7-5 to force a decider.

The third set, however, belonged to Rybakina. She secured an early break and used her combination of power, accuracy and patience to put Sabalenka under constant pressure.

Rybakina moved into a 5-2 lead before serving for the championship. After missing her first championship point with a double fault, she immediately recovered and sealed the match with an ace.

The defeat ended Sabalenka's hopes of becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to win the US Open three consecutive times.

Sabalenka had entered the final as the defending champion and world No. 1, but Rybakina's controlled performance prevented her from extending her New York dominance.

The result also ended Sabalenka's reign at the top of the rankings. Rybakina will take over as world No. 1 when the rankings are updated.

Rybakina's victory is another landmark moment for Kazakhstan in international tennis.

Born in Moscow and representing Kazakhstan since 2018, Rybakina has steadily established herself among the world's leading players. Her latest Grand Slam triumph confirms her status as one of the strongest forces in women's tennis.

With the US Open trophy now added to her collection, Rybakina has won two Grand Slam titles in 2026 alone.

The victory also strengthens a growing rivalry with Sabalenka. The pair have now met in three Grand Slam finals, with Rybakina winning their most recent major encounters at the 2026 Australian Open and US Open.

For Rybakina, New York delivered another defining chapter in her career — and a new beginning at the very top of women's tennis.