From ABC7 New York · · 1m 20s
Rybakina takes the U.S. Open and the No. 1 spot
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win her first U.S. Open and cap a run to world No. 1.
In brief
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win her first U.S. Open and cap a run to world No. 1. Rybakina now owns three Grand Slam titles, the top ranking, and the biggest prize check in tennis history. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
A first U.S. Open title
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in Queens on Saturday to win the U.S. Open for the first time.
Already No. 1 before the final
Rybakina had locked up the top ranking ahead of the match. Winning the title Sabalenka held for two straight years was the exclamation point.
“for good measure took the U.S. Open title that Sabalenka had won the previous two years”
Third slam, second this year
It is her third Grand Slam and her second of 2026, both won against Sabalenka on hard courts.
She started the year the same way
Rybakina opened the season by beating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final. Same opponent, same surface, same result.
A 19-match streak ends
Sabalenka had not lost at Flushing Meadows since the 2023 final against Coco Gauff. Rybakina snapped a 19-match run there.
The richest check in slam history
Rybakina earned $5.5 million, the largest prize ever paid at a Grand Slam, and tied Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva with a tour-high three titles this season.
The key point
Rybakina now owns three Grand Slam titles, the top ranking, and the biggest prize check in tennis history.
