That's a wrap for our coverage of a thrilling US Open 2026 women's singles final. Are we seeing a rivalry between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina starting to unfold? A brilliant three-set contest today sees Rybakina win her second Slam of the year, but the fight for No. 1 will still go on for a few more weeks.

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Elena Rybakina in 2026 becomes the first women's player since Steffi Graf in 1995, and the first outright in the 21st century, to beat the World No. 1 player in two Grand Slam finals in the same year. 

2026 is the year that establishes Elena Rybakina as one of the powerhouses of women's tennis. Australian Open champion and US Open champion, beating Aryna Sabalenka both times and also taking her No. 1 ranking after it all. 

She held her composure in three back-to-back three-setters to win this title!

Here's the winning moment for Elena Rybakina!

TOP OF THE WORLD

Elena Rybakina defeats Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to claim her first US Open title! pic.twitter.com/7XA520vTei

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026

After winning it in 2024 and 2025, Sabalenka fails to make it a hattrick of US Open crowns. It's her second Grand Slam final loss of the year; both came at the hands of Rybakina. After being No. 1 for almost the entire year, she loses that too. No Grand Slam glory for the Belarusian in 2026.

ELENA RYBAKINA, US OPEN CHAMPION! It's a second Grand Slam title of 2026 and a first US Open title for Rybakina, who is set to become the World No. 1 after the tournament. She dominates the deciding set, and wins the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-2!

Elena Rybakina is on verge of US Open glory! She takes advantage and then converts it to break Sabalenka for the second time in the third and final set. Excellent, excellent tennis from Rybakina. 

If she wins the next game, she becomes the US Open women's singles champion!

Elena Rybakina slams a sensational return to make it 30-30, then gets the break point as Sabalenka makes a double fault. One more fault sees a cry of frustration from the reigning champion. But Sabalenka manages to force deuce.

Another incredible service game from Elena Rybakina. It looked like Sabalenka had found her mojo in the second set, but Rybakina has been on another level so far in the decider. Some terrific returns again from Rybakina in that game, specially a forehand to make it 30-0.

Rybakina makes it tough work for Sabalenka once again, going up 15-30 on the latter's serve. But Sabalenka comes back powerfully to hold. 3-2 to Rybakina.

Fantastic serving from Elena Rybakina! A few more aces from her, taking her tally for the game to 12, and she goes up 3-1 in the final set. 

Can Sabalenka fight back?

Elena Rybakina is running away with it!

She leads Sabalenka 3-1 in the third set. pic.twitter.com/e1pFm7eaOG

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026

Elena Rybakina breaks! The to-be World No. 1 comes up with a couple of terrific returns and takes an early game off Sabalenka's serve in the deciding set. 

Excellent start to the final set by Rybakina, as she holds serve without conceding a single point. A powerful ace to clinch her first game of the set. 1-1.

Rybakina forces deuce on Sabalenka's first service game of the third set. Sabalenka wastes an advantage, then Rybakina gets a break point but fails to convert! Ultimately, Sabalenka manages to close out the first game of the third set.

Remarkably, both Sabalenka and Rybakina have won 71 points each so far in the match, showing how neck-and-neck the contest has been. Rybakina was comfortably the better player in the first set, but Sabalenka has found her rhythm and fought back brilliantly. 

Aryna Sabalenka wins the second set! A missed forehand by Rybakina hands Sabalenka the advantage, and then the defending champion converts the advantage to break Rybakina for the first time in the match. She takes the second set 7-5.

We're going to a third set!

ARYNA SABALENKA SNATCHES THE SECOND SET 7-5! pic.twitter.com/OfxW83mScj

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026

Brilliant fightback from Sabalenka. Rybakina goes up 30-0 on her serve, but Sabalenka makes it 30-30. Rybakina then goes up 40-30, but Sabalenka forces deuce with a brilliant return!

Sabalenka holds serve, and the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium appears to be getting behind the reigning champ. She delivers her first ace of the set too. 6-5 to Sabalenka, Rybakina must hold serve to force a tie-breaker.

Elena Rybakina now forces deuce on Sabalenka's serve! With the second set poised at 5-5, this would be a terrific moment for the Rybakina to break once again.

Rybakina survives! She prevents two set points, forces deuce and then takes advantage and the game win. 5-5 in the second set. Sabalenka's frustration is evident as she slams another ball into the crowd. 

Sabalenka fails to convert two set points! A double fault from Rybakina and then a fantastic return by Sabalenka sees the latter go up 15-40. But Rybakina is able to force deuce as Sabalenka fires over twice!

Aryna Sabalenka continues her good form on serve. She does not concede a single point and closes out another game to lead 5-4 in the second set. If she breaks Rybakina in the next game, she'll take the second set!

Despite Aryna Sabalenka looking in much better flow in the second set, she is yet to truly threaten Elena Rybakina's serve. The second set is now tied at 4-4, and a tie-breaker is looming large if things continue this way.

Impeccable service and return from Sabalenka, and a few lacklustre returns from Rybakina as the Belarusian goes up 4-3 in the second set. We are yet to have a break in this set.

Elena Rybakina holds serve. She has been excellent so far in the final. However, Sabalenka looks much steadier in the second set.

Fantastic recovery from Aryna Sabalenka at a crucial point in the fifth game of the second set. Tied at 30-30, Sabalenka recovers brilliantly to return a clever drop shot by Rybakina. Sabalenka's return caught Rybakina by surprise, and handed the point to the reigning champ! That point gets some big cheers from the crowd.

Sabalenka then delivers another brilliantly-executed drop shot to close the game. She leads 3-2.

Aryna Sabalenka not giving an inch pic.twitter.com/s5PVOOqbXu

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026

Elena Rybakina holds serve once again to make it 2-2 in the second set. A powerful ace to close out the fourth game of the set. The World No. 2 is yet to be broken in this final.

Rybakina wastes a second chance to break after taking advantage, as Sabalenka fights back to close her second serve of the second set. Hard-fought for the reigning champion.

An unforced error by Sabalenka sees Rybakina go up 30-40, but the World No. 2 fires over the line and the game goes to deuce. 

The second set is underway, and both Sabalenka and Rybakina have held their first service games. It is 1-1 in the second set. Remember, Sabalenka must win this set to stay alive. If Rybakina wins the set, she wins the US Open!

Elena Rybakina goes 1-0 up in the final! The to-be World No. 1 overpowers the current World No. 1, holding her nerve and the serve to clinch the first set 6-4. 

Elena Rybakina captures the opening set 6-4! pic.twitter.com/9znPZSEQqN

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026

Deuce! Sabalenka is not going to give up the first set without a fight. A double fault from Rybakina allows Sabalenka to come into the game at 30-30. A weak return from Sabalenka sees Rybakina go up 40-30, and it's followed by a cry of agony from the World No. 1.

But then Sabalenka comes up with a powerful set of returns to force deuce!

Sabalenka is still alive in the first set! Brilliant service from the World No. 1, and she takes the game to make it 5-4.

Rybakina to serve next. If she holds serve, she wins the first set.

Rybakina holds serve! She leads 5-3 in the first set, and is now one game away from going 1-0 up in sets in the US Open women's singles final!

For the first time today, we reach deuce on Elena Rybakina's serve. A couple of shots from both players that went over the line. Will Sabalenka be able to break back?

For the third Sabalenka service game in a row, Rybakina manages to gain break point. But Sabalenka manages to keep herself in the set by taking it to deuce.

Sabalenka then takes advantage and converts it to hold serve. 4-3 to Rybakina.

Rybakina holds serve without letting Sabalenka get even a single point, and now leads 4-2 in the first set. If she holds serve for the rest of the set, she will clinch it!

Elena Rybakina breaks! Some excellent returns once again from the to-be World No. 1, and a double fault from Sabalenka in the end hands her the game. Sabalenka slams the ball into the stands in fury. 

Rybakina leads 3-2 in the first set.

Sabalenka threatens a break by going up 15-30 on Rybakina's serve, but the Russian-born Kazakhstani star bounces back and holds serve. 2-2 in the first set.

Aryna Sabalenka manages to battle through and hold serve, making it 2-1. She hands advantage to Rybakina at first, but is able to pull it back and then close out the game.

From 15-40 down, that's an early scare prevented.

We have the first deuce of the match. Rybakina races to a 15-40 lead on Sabalenka's serves after some excellent returns. But Sabalenka bounces back to win the next two points and force deuce.

Elena Rybakina comes up with some powerful serves to hold her first service game. She does not concede a single point to Sabalenka in that game.

The two-time defending US Open champion starts off by holding her serve. Elena Rybakina gives a good fight to make it 30-30, but Sabalenka manages to close it out. A lovely drop shot to win the final point.

WE ARE LIVE! The US Open 2026 women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina is underway! 

It is Sabalenka who will serve first.

Aryna. Elena. For the trophy. pic.twitter.com/xoM4gRIUFn

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina make their way out into the Arthur Ashe Stadium, amid heavy music in the background and some smoky fireworks too. What a match we have in store.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium is packed to the brim, ahead of the women's singes final. The two finalists, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, are about to make their way out into the arena!

Elena Rybakina has also fought through some tough matches en route to reaching the US Open final for the very first time. She defeated 13th seed Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16, Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the quarters, and fourth seed Coco Gauff in the semi.

Against both Zheng and Gauff, Rybakina came back from a set down to win the match.

Aryna Sabalenka has battled through a tough set of opponents to make her way to the final, including third seed Jessica Pegula and sixth seed Linda Noskova. She has dropped just one set all tournament, which came in the quarter-final against Noskova.

We are less than 10 minutes away from the scheduled start of the US Open 2026 women's singles final at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Stay tuned folks, action on the way shortly!

This is the second time that Sabalenka and Rybakina will face off in a Grand Slam final in 2026. They played each other in the Australian Open final in January, which Rybakina won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Will Sabalenka get revenge tonight, or will Rybakina get another one?

Finales de Grand Slam: Rybakina vs. Sabalenka y quién se ha llevado la victoria en cada una pic.twitter.com/IfQqc0kTVb

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2026

For Elena Rybakina, it is a chance to cap off a superb year with a second Grand Slam crown of the year, and the third of her career. She won the first Slam of the year, the Australian Open, and she has a chance to win the last!

Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to become the first player, male or female, to win the US Open singles title three times in the ongoing decade (2020s). If losing the No. 1 to her final rival wasn't motivation enough, this will surely be for the Belarusian.

While Aryna Sabalenka currently holds the World No. 1 ranking in the WTA rankings, she is set to lose it to Elena Rybakina irrespective of what happens in today's match. That adds another bit of spice to an already highly-anticipated game.

A very warm welcome to one and all to the live coverage of the US Open 2026 women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. A blockbuster clash at the Arthur Ashe Stadium today, as the World No. 1 takes on the World No. 2!

Stay tuned to NDTV Sports for all the live updates from the match.