# 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.
- Title: Rybakina takes the U.S. Open and the No. 1 spot | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: tennis, us open, rybakina, sabalenka, grand slam, news, local, takes, Open, spot, ABC7 New York
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/post/elena-rybakina-wins-us-open-beating-aryna-sabalenka-3-sets/19824577
- Published: 2026-09-12T22:40:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tennis, us open, rybakina, sabalenka, grand slam, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Rybakina now owns three Grand Slam titles, the top ranking, and the biggest prize check in tennis history.