She took everything

Elena Rybakina arrived in New York and stripped Aryna Sabalenka of both prizes that mattered: the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis, then the U.S. Open trophy.

A first title in Flushing

Rybakina beat Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday for her first U.S. Open title, at a tournament that had frustrated her for a decade.

“It's tough to find words right now, honestly.”

Third slam, second this year

It was her third Grand Slam title and her second of 2026, both won against Sabalenka on hard courts. She opened the season by taking the Australian Open from her too.

A 19-match streak ends

Sabalenka had not lost at the U.S. Open since the 2023 final against Coco Gauff. The run stopped at 19 matches, one win short of a third straight title in New York.

The richest check in tennis

Rybakina earned $5.5 million, the largest prize in Grand Slam history. Sabalenka took $2.8 million and smashed her racket after a quick hug at the net.

Winning on the return

The tour's ace leader got less than half her first serves in. She won anyway, creating 12 break chances and converting three, which was all she needed.

Quiet power unnerves her

Sabalenka swings from her heels with a loud grunt. Rybakina's power comes silently, with almost no reaction, which Gauff noticed after losing the semifinal.

“Her serve is amazing, the way she's able to step in and overpower you on court.”

A rough road in

Sabalenka had gone out in the fourth round at Wimbledon, Toronto and Cincinnati. Rybakina retired from her Cincinnati quarterfinal with a foot injury, then healed in time.

The rankings flip Monday

Sabalenka's 99 straight weeks at No. 1 end next week. Rybakina, 27, born in Russia and playing for Kazakhstan, now needs only the French Open for a career Grand Slam.

“I'm falling in love with New York more and more.”