# Rybakina takes New York, and the No 1 spot with it > Elena Rybakina broke Aryna Sabalenka's grip on the US Open in three sets, and turned a new ranking into a real coronation. - Title: Rybakina takes New York, and the No 1 spot with it · Dailymail - Summary: Elena Rybakina broke Aryna Sabalenka's grip on the US Open in three sets, and turned a new ranking into a real coronation. Rybakina won this final by staying… - Keywords: tennis, us open, rybakina, sabalenka, grand slam, news, entertainment, takes, York, spot, Dailymail - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/sport/tennis/article-16126643/Elena-Rybakina-WINS-US-Open-New-world-No1-dethrones-racquet-smashing-Aryna-Sabalenka-electric-three-set-battle-New-York.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-09-12T22:57:25+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: tennis, us open, rybakina, sabalenka, grand slam, news, entertainment ## A new queen of New York Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 at the US Open, taking the title from the two-time defending champion. ## Third Grand Slam in hand The win is Rybakina's third major, after Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Only the French Open now stands between her and the full set. ## The ranking finally feels earned Rybakina reached No 1 with a quarter-final win that felt odd to celebrate mid-tournament. She said she could not enjoy it yet. The trophy settled that. ## Both hard-court Slams She became only the third woman this century to win the Australian Open and the US Open in the same season. ## The three-peat that wasn't Sabalenka wanted to be the third woman in the Open era to win New York three years running. She fell one match short. ## Tears and a promise Sabalenka was left crying after the loss, vowing to 'do better' next year. > do better ## Focus was the whole plan All fortnight Sabalenka talked about tuning out the noise, the questions about her form, the threat to her ranking, and pouring everything into the court. ## Bubbling over from the start She walked out already frustrated, picking at flaws in her own game in the opening games rather than settling into the match. ## Calm against chaos The pair traded early holds, but Rybakina looked untroubled while Sabalenka came apart. The contrast made the Kazakh's ease look even sharper. ## Fifteen errors to five Sabalenka piled up 15 unforced errors to Rybakina's five, each one met with raised hands, a tipped-back head and frantic signals to her box. ## A warning, then a break A double fault handed Rybakina the first-set break. Smacking a ball away in frustration earned Sabalenka a code violation warning. ## Winning without the big serve Rybakina landed only 27 per cent of first serves in the opener. Her second serve was accurate enough to keep hurting Sabalenka anyway. ## Bullying the Belarusian's serve Rybakina stretched out Sabalenka's service games and pushed her onto the back foot, converting the fifth break point of the game for 3-2. ## The hold that held the set Rybakina moved to 5-4 and produced a huge 10th game, denying Sabalenka a single break point to close out the opener. ## Sabalenka swings it back Steadier and less self-critical, Sabalenka cut the errors and took the second set 7-5. These two rivals often go the distance. ## Straight at her in the third The setback sharpened Rybakina. She attacked Sabalenka's serve from the first game, hunting cracks while holding her own with ease. ## The racquet meets the court A run of Rybakina forehand winners sent Sabalenka spinning, and she smashed her racquet into the floor. The real punishment was the break that followed. ## A prayer that went unanswered Down 2-4, Sabalenka double-faulted to hand over another break point, knelt and rested her head on her racquet. More faults and errors followed. ## Finished with an ace Sabalenka thrashed the court one last time and was all but walking off as Rybakina served the championship-winning ace. ## No grace required Rybakina did not need a gracious opponent to make the night complete. She had the trophy, and the top ranking, instead. ## Key takeaway Rybakina won this final by staying level while Sabalenka unravelled, and the calm was worth more than the serve.