U.S. Open final: Elena Rybakina smothers Aryna Sabalenka to dethrone reigning champion

Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the U.S. Open final on Saturday at Flushing Meadows, claiming her first U.S. Open title and third Grand Slam overall. The victory denied Sabalenka a third consecutive U.S. Open title and marked Rybakina's second Grand Slam win of 2026. As a result, the 27-year-old Kazakh will replace Sabalenka as world No. 1 on Monday.