Rybakina Denies Sabalenka History in EPIC Final | US Open 2026 Post Match Analysis

Elena Rybakina has beaten Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the 2026 US OPEN — denying the two-time defending champion a place in history and claiming her first title at Flushing Meadows. Full post-match analysis and reaction.Sabalenka was chasing a THREE-PEAT. A third consecutive US Open title would have made her the first woman to do it since SERENA WILLIAMS in 2012-14, and would have brought a fifth career major and a 20th straight win at this tournament. She had survived Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) in the quarterfinals and dismantled Jessica Pegula in the semifinal to get here.Rybakina had taken the hardest route in the draw and kept finding answers. She overpowered Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4, ended qualifier Zheng Qinwen's extraordinary run 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, then came from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. In the final she did it again — taking the opener, losing a tight second as Sabalenka forced her way back, and then running away with the decider 6-2.It's her THIRD major title and her FIRST US Open. And it continues a pattern that is becoming the defining rivalry in women's tennis: Rybakina has now beaten Sabalenka in BOTH 2026 GRAND SLAM FINALS they have contested, after winning the Australian Open final in January, and also took the 2025 WTA Finals title match against her. Sabalenka's answer this season was the Sunshine Double, beating Rybakina in both the Indian Wells and Miami finals. Sabalenka still leads the overall head-to-head, but Rybakina now leads their Grand Slam finals 2-1.On the rankings: Rybakina moves to World No. 1 on Monday with Sabalenka dropping to No. 2 — but that was already mathematically confirmed before this match was played. The title doesn't change the ranking. It does mean she arrives at No. 1 as the reigning Australian Open AND US Open champion.In this video: how the match was won set by set, where the second set slipped and how Rybakina reset, the serving and return numbers that decided it, what it means for Sabalenka, and where this rivalry stands going into the rest of the season.🎾 IN THIS VIDEO- Full set-by-set breakdown of the 2026 US Open final- Why Rybakina has now won three of their biggest matches- Whether Sabalenka's New York era is genuinely over- Where this rivalry goes from here📊 MATCH INFOTournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)Round: FINAL — Women's SinglesResult: Elena Rybakina def. Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2Significance: Rybakina's 3rd major and 1st US Open; ends Sabalenka's bid to become the first woman to win three straight US Open titles since Serena Williams (2012-14)Grand Slam finals between them: Rybakina leads 2-1Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York💬 Is this the best rivalry in women's tennis right now? Comments below.👍 Like if you followed the whole fortnight with us🔔 SUBSCRIBE for full post-US Open and Asian swing coverage- Mantis 10%: https://mantissport.com/qualityshot10 (At Checkout)- IM8 10% OFF: https://im8.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=2077 (Code QST10 at Checkout)- Acemate: https://www.acematetennis.com?sca_ref=11586466.udoQ3GLV6m55xoG1&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=standard-affiliate-commission&utm_content=affiliate-QualityShot-Tennis---Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.#Rybakina #Sabalenka #USOpen