Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina stunned two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win the US Open women’s singles title, defeating the Belarusian 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in Saturday’s final.

Rybakina, who had previously won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year, secured her third Grand Slam title after a commanding performance against the world No. 1.

The victory also confirmed Rybakina’s rise to the top of the WTA rankings, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign as world No. 1.

Sabalenka was seeking a third consecutive US Open crown, having won the tournament in 2024 and 2025, but Rybakina maintained her composure to deny her the historic achievement.

The Kazakhstani recovered from a brief lapse in the second set, where Sabalenka forced a decider, before regaining control in the final set and closing out the match 6-2.

The result extended Rybakina’s recent dominance in major meetings with Sabalenka. She had also defeated her in the Australian Open final earlier this year.

Rybakina’s triumph makes her only the third woman this century to win both hard-court Grand Slam tournaments in the same year, joining Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber.

The victory also marked a major turnaround at the US Open for Rybakina, who entered the tournament having dealt with an ankle injury but produced a series of composed performances on her way to the title.