Elena Rybakina ends Aryna Sabalenka's bid for third straight US Open title

Tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe and sports personality Rich "Big Daddy" Salgado discuss the biggest storylines surrounding this year's US Open, from the resurgence of American tennis and championship predictions to the growing influence of sports betting, celebrity culture and the changing fan experience at one of the sport's premier events.

Elena Rybakina moved one step closer to completing a career Grand Slam Saturday, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win her first U.S. Open title.

Rybakina had already been guaranteed to replace Sabalenka at No. 1 in the women's tennis world rankings next week, but she did more than inherit the top spot. She claimed the title Sabalenka had won the previous two years, making the changing of the guard official.

Rybakina was still processing the special moment afterward. "It’s tough to find words right now, honestly," Rybakina said. "I don’t expect nothing like this coming to this tournament. I’ve been dealing with a little bit with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side."

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Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan celebrates with the trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s singles final on Day 14 of the 2026 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 12, 2026, in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Rybakina won the Australian Open title earlier this year after defeating Sabalenka on another hard court, this time at Melbourne Park.

Sabalenka entered Saturday’s final with a 19-match winning streak at the U.S. Open, where she had not lost since falling to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final. Sabalenka was trying to become the first person since Serena Williams from 2012-14 to win three in a row at Flushing Meadows.

"I really felt like home here and cannot wait to come back next year," Sabalenka said. "I wish I could perform a little bit better, but I guess next year."

A general view of Arthur Ashe Stadium during the women’s singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina at the 2026 U.S. Open on Sept. 12, 2026, in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Saturday marked the third U.S. Open women’s final since 2000 between the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, and the first won by the No. 2 seed. Serena Williams was the top seed in the other two, defeating her sister Venus in 2002 and Victoria Azarenka in 2013.

VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS' HIGHLY ANTICIPATED US OPEN RETURN ENDS IN HEARTBREAKING LOSS

Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka pose at the net before the women’s singles final at the 2026 U.S. Open on Sept. 12 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Manuela Davies/USTA via Getty Images)

Rybakina was born in Russia but represents Kazakhstan. She won her first major title at Wimbledon in 2022. A win at the French Open would complete a career Grand Slam for the 27-year-old.

Rybakina did show some frustration after pulling a backhand wide with a break point in the opening game of the third set, but soon she had taken charge of the match for good.

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Sabalenka had won the two other meetings this season, on the hard courts at Indian Wells and Miami, and leads their rivalry 10-8.

American Ben Shelton meets German tennis star Alexander Zverev in Sunday's men's singles final.