Elena Rybakina’s victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final drew admiration from across the game, with Martina Navratilova calling the display “incredible” after the 27-year-old claimed her second Grand Slam title of 2026.

Rybakina overpowered her longtime rival 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to secure her first US Open crown and underline the authority of her shot-making on the biggest stage. Against Sabalenka, she produced the sort of heavy, clean ball-striking that left little room for a response.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Navratilova was full of praise for the way Rybakina controlled the contest.

“She just played so well,” said 59-time Grand Slam champion Navratilova.

“It was an incredible performance and Sabalenka just couldn’t do anything to stop her. Aryna was on the back foot all through the match and it was a great performance.”

Navratilova also noted how unusual it was to see Sabalenka pushed into a reactive role.

“We do not see that. Usually it’s Sabalenka doing the bullying. I think that’s why Sabalenka didn’t know what to do. She’s used to dictating, to putting people on the defence, on their heels and rushing shots.

“Instead, it was all Rybakina doing that to her. And I did not expect that.

“It’s not that Sabalenka lost the match… Rybakina won it. She earned that win.

“It will be back to the drawing board for Sabalenka. What will she do next time if Rybakina is playing this well?”

Laura Robson also highlighted Rybakina’s composure in the moment, while Marion Bartoli pointed to the scale of the achievement given Rybakina’s previous best result in New York had been the fourth round. Bartoli added that the way she responded early in the third set was “absolutely extraordinary” and said, “She’s only missing Roland Garros now from completing a career Grand Slam.”

Aryna Sabalenka spent much of the US Open final on the defensive as Elena Rybakina completed a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory, but the match also featured a tense moment when the outgoing world No 1’s frustration boiled over on court.

Sabalenka drove a ball into the crowd during a heated spell in the opening set, then struck another in anger that passed alarmingly close to a cameraman behind the court. The incident drew attention because of how narrowly it avoided a far more serious outcome, with the US Open still mindful of Novak Djokovic’s disqualification in 2020 after a ball he hit struck a line umpire in the throat.

As the match slipped away, Sabalenka again showed her emotions by smashing her racket into the ground before Rybakina sealed the result. She then sat with her boyfirned Georgios Frangulis and her extended coaching team while absorbing her first defeat at the US Open since 2023.

When it came time to address the crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka said she was reluctant to speak but made an effort to acknowledge the occasion.

“The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech but I’ll try my best,” said Sabalenka.

“Obviously I’m disappointed, but I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, an incredible result.

“Well deserved. Enjoy it tonight, and have fun. So I can win some titles!

“I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess there’s next year.”

Rybakina, meanwhile, described a victory she had not expected when the tournament began.

“It’s tough to find words right now, honestly,” said Rybakina

“I didn’t expect anything like this, coming to this tournament. I was dealing with a bit of an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side.

“I was doubting on the court and trying to get all the possible balls.

“I’m falling in love with New York more and more, and it’s amazing memories for me.”

The result was decisive, and while a disqualification in a US Open final would have been an unwanted outcome, Sabalenka’s temper left her walking a fine line.

Elena Rybakina underlined her place at the top of women’s tennis with a straight-talking, high-level win over Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final.

Their latest meeting echoed January’s Australian Open title match, but this time Rybakina’s heavier ball-striking proved decisive again. She began with authority, taking the first set 6-4 after applying sustained pressure and keeping Sabalenka on the back foot.

Sabalenka responded well and forced the contest deeper by edging the second set 7-5. For a brief stretch, the match looked ready to swing her way. Rybakina, however, quickly re-established control in the decider and pulled away to seal the third set 6-2. Even after serving two double faults in the final game, she finished the match with an ace.

The result brought Rybakina her first US Open title and the third Grand Slam trophy of her career. It also added to the Wimbledon title she won in 2022.

The scale of the victory was matched by the prize on offer in 2026, with the US Open increasing its total prize pool by 20% to $108 million across all competitions. Rybakina’s triumph earns her a $5.5m windfall, the largest prize money haul in the history of the women’s game.

Sabalenka will finish 2026 without a Grand Slam title, though she still takes home $2,800,000 as runner-up. That sum is higher than Emma Raducanu received when she won the US Open five years ago.

Rybakina’s points total from New York also strengthens her hold on the world No 1 ranking, giving her more than 2,000 points of cushion over Sabalenka. Sabalenka remains second, with Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff still within reach behind her.

Rybakina has now won three of the four Grand Slam titles, and although clay remains her least preferred surface, the French Open next year offers another chance to add to that record.