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Elena Rybakina claimed her first US Open championship and third career Grand Slam title, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the women's final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. The victory, her second major of 2026, capped a remarkable run for Rybakina, who revealed she had arrived in New York barely able to walk due to a foot injury before overcoming the pain to lift the trophy. The win also propels her to the world No. 1 ranking for the first time. For Sabalenka, the loss marked another painful near-miss in a Grand Slam final, and she smashed her racquet in frustration afterward. The defeat also costs her the world No. 1 ranking she had held, adding to a difficult stretch in what had otherwise been a strong season for the Belarusian.