Andrea Innocenti Elena Rybakina has written another page in tennis history. The Kazakh player won her third career Major title, defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final of the 2026 US Open. This victory allowed her to reach the top of the WTA rankings, a milestone that will become official on Monday.
Rybakina's path to glory has been punctuated by challenges and moments of intense intensity. After overcoming Coco Gauff in the semifinals, the tennis player demonstrated extraordinary resilience and determination, managing to overturn the result in the final after losing the second set to Sabalenka.
The semifinal against Coco Gauff: an epic comeback
Just over 24 hours after mathematically securing her place as the new world number one, Elena Rybakina proved she's not content to settle. In the semifinals against Coco Gauff, the Kazakh tennis player fought through three sets, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The match lasted two hours and nine minutes, during which Rybakina displayed remarkable adaptability and a winning mentality.
“Of course I was nervous after losing the first set,” Rybakina admitted after the match. “But I took a deep breath and told myself I had to fight. My tactics in the final against Aryna? She's an incredible player. I'll definitely have to serve much better than today and stay aggressive.”
The final against Aryna Sabalenka: an epic duel
On Saturday night, under the floodlights of Flushing Meadows, Elena Rybakina faced Aryna Sabalenka in a final that was a true spectacle of tennis. The two players met for the third time in a Grand Slam final, with Sabalenka leading 10-7. However, Rybakina managed to turn the tables, winning the title 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
This victory represents a historic milestone for Rybakina, who becomes the first Kazakh tennis player to win the US Open. Furthermore, with this victory, Rybakina reached the top of the WTA rankings, surpassing Sabalenka, who had dominated the rankings for 99 consecutive weeks.
The future of women's tennis: new challenges on the horizon
With her victory at the 2026 US Open, Elena Rybakina has proven herself to be one of the strongest tennis players in the world. However, the future of women's tennis is full of challenges and new opportunities. Sabalenka, despite her defeat, remains a leading candidate to win the upcoming Major tournaments. Furthermore, promising young talents like Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton are emerging with great force, promising to further enliven the world tennis scene.
Tonight, at 10:00 PM, the men's tournament will close with the final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton. This match promises to be equally thrilling, with the 2026 US Open title at stake.