An Unlikely Champion Takes New York

Just weeks before the US Open began, Elena Rybakina could barely walk. She had aggravated a foot injury during her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek, and an MRI scan upon arriving in New York painted a grim picture. Rather than withdraw, Rybakina scrapped her on-court practice for a full week, relying on daily gym recovery sessions and, remarkably, trips to dinner and the cinema to keep her mind fresh. That gamble paid off in spectacular fashion on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win her first US Open title and claim the world number one ranking.

The victory completed a remarkable 2026 season for the 27-year-old Kazakh, who had already won the Australian Open earlier in the year, adding to her 2022 Wimbledon title. Her path through the draw was formidable: she defeated Naomi Osaka in the early rounds, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals, and third seed Coco Gauff in the semi-finals, all before dismantling Sabalenka in the final. "Some magic is happening," Rybakina said after lifting the trophy, admitting she never imagined winning the title given how she felt in the days before the tournament.

Sabalenka's Frustration Boils Over

Sabalenka had arrived in New York chasing a historic third consecutive US Open title, a feat achieved in the Open era only by Chris Evert and Serena Williams. Instead, she endured a night of mounting frustration, smashing her racket multiple times and losing her composure visibly in the third set. Commenting for BBC Radio 5 Live, former British number one Annabel Croft said Sabalenka's body language in the first set was deeply negative and ultimately cost her. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was blunter, noting that Rybakina turned the tables completely, doing to Sabalenka what Sabalenka normally does to opponents. Sabalenka herself acknowledged the heartbreak afterward, vowing to return stronger in 2027. TennisDraw users who backed Rybakina to go deep in the draw will be celebrating a very rewarding bracket call.