Sabalenka

Sabalenka, Rybakina handed shock defeats at China Open tennis

The Belarusian’s exit follows top seed Rybakina losing to unseeded Charaeva in her first match as world number one.

Oct 4, 2026 · byAl Jazeera

Sabalenka follows Rybakina out of China Open after shock defeat

A day after world No 1 Elena Rybakina was knocked out of the China Open, world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka followed suit in Beijing on Sunday.

Oct 4, 2026 · bySky Sports

Sabalenka stunned by Bartunkova at China Open

World number two Aryna Sabalenka follows Elena Rybakina out the door at the China Open as she falls to a surprise defeat by Nikola Bartunkova.

Oct 4, 2026 · byBBC

Sabalenka cruises past Zarazua at China Open

Highlights of the China Open match between Renata Zarazua and Aryna Sabalenka.

Oct 2, 2026 · bySky Sports

Sabalenka 'trying hard to be easier on myself'

Aryna Sabalenka says she is "trying so hard to be easier on myself" as she begins her China Open campaign with victory over Renata Zarazua.

Oct 2, 2026 · byBBC

World’s top tennis players call truce in prize-money battle with grand slams

18-month campaign comes to an end after US Open Sinner and Sabalenka most vocal of leading players The world’s leading tennis players have agreed a truce in their long-running battle with the grand slam tournaments over prize money, welfare and player consultation. In a statement released after the men’s US Open final on Sunday the players announced they would stop their 18-month campaign of agitating against the grand slam tournaments, which culminated in a media boycott at the French Open this year, a plan first revealed in May . Continue reading...

Sep 13, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Elena Rybakina rides ‘ups and downs’ to transform status among tennis elite | Tumaini Carayol

US Open champion’s relationship with her previously banned coach remains under spotlight despite her rise to the top In the bitter aftermath of her straight-sets defeat by Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals last November, an inconsolable Aryna Sabalenka walked over to her courtside player box and slumped into a chair. Sabalenka had been completely overpowered by her opponent, a strange and unusual feeling for such a powerful player, and she was seething. Sabalenka eventually settled on a popular Russian idiom to explain Rybakina’s untouchable form, which she believed was fortunately timed: “Once a year, even a stick shoots,” she said. That stick, it turns out, has spent the past year shooting straight at Sabalenka in every significant match. Rybakina’s dominant performance in Riyadh was a clear warning and she has dominated the hard-court grand slam tournaments this year, defeating Sabalenka in the Australian Open and US Open finals. Continue reading...

Sep 13, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win US Open for the first time

Elena Rybakina beats the two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open and her third Grand Slam title overall.

Sep 13, 2026 · byBBC

'Tough to control emotions' as Sabalenka suffers another near miss

After losing another Grand Slam final, Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racquet in frustration at a year that has seen her lose her world number one status.

Sep 13, 2026 · byBBC

'Tough to control emotions' as Sabalenka suffers another near miss

After losing another Grand Slam final, Aryna Sabalenka smashes her racquet in frustration at a year that has seen her lose her world number one status.

Sep 13, 2026 · byBBC

'Tough to control emotions' as Sabalenka suffers another near miss

After losing another Grand Slam final, Aryna Sabalenka smashes her racquet in frustration at a year that has seen her lose her world number one status.

Sep 13, 2026 · byBBC

'Tough to control emotions' as Sabalenka suffers another near miss

After losing another Grand Slam final, Aryna Sabalenka smashes her racquet in frustration at a year that has seen her lose her world number one status.

Sep 13, 2026 · byBBC

Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win US Open title and cement her rise to No 1

Elena Rybakina cemented her position as world No 1 by dethroning two-time US Open winner Aryna Sabalenka to seal her maiden title in New York.

Sep 12, 2026 · bySky Sports

Rybakina wins US Open to inflict further pain on Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina demonstrates why she is the best women's player in the world by beating Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title.

Sep 12, 2026 · byBBC

Elena Rybakina defeats Aryna Sabalenka in US Open women’s singles final

The cool Kazakh lifts the trophy after frustrating Sabalenka in a 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 win in New York as the new world No 1.

Sep 12, 2026 · byAl Jazeera

Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to seal dramatic US Open title triumph

Rybakina wins 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 despite first-serve problems Overcomes top seed and two-time defending champion Even when long established as a grand slam champion and a conqueror of all surfaces, Elena Rybakina was always considered lesser than the most successful players of her era. She was one of the most devastating shotmakers in the world, a threat to everybody everywhere, but there were always a couple of more consistent and mentally tougher players above her. She leaves New York, finally, as the undisputed best tennis player on the planet, the new standard bearer of women’s tennis, after following up her snatching of the No 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka by succeeding her as the US Open champion. As she has done throughout this unforgettable week, the Kazakhstani showed her toughness in another spectacular tussle with her great rival, closing out her time at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time defending champion. Continue reading...

Sep 12, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to seal dramatic US Open title triumph

Rybakina wins 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 despite first-serve problems Overcomes top seed and two-time defending champion Even when long established as a grand slam champion and a conqueror of all surfaces, Elena Rybakina was always considered lesser than the most successful players of her era. She was one of the most devastating shotmakers in the world, a threat to everybody everywhere, but there were always a couple of more consistent and mentally tougher players above her. She leaves New York, finally, as the undisputed best tennis player on the planet, the new standard bearer of women’s tennis, after following up her snatching of the No 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka by succeeding her as the US Open champion. As she has done throughout this unforgettable week, the Kazakhstani showed her toughness in another spectacular tussle with her great rival, closing out her time at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time defending champion. Continue reading...

Sep 12, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Rybakina wins US Open to inflict further pain on Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina demonstrates why she is the best women's player in the world by beating Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title.

Sep 12, 2026 · byBBC

US Open LIVE! Sabalenka takes on Rybakina in blockbuster women's final

Sep 12, 2026 · bySky Sports

Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina: US Open 2026 women’s singles final – live

Women’s final updates from 9pm BST Finalists resume epic rivalry after switch at No 1 | Email Katy After an A+++ women’s tournament, in which we’ve seen so many must-watch matches (take your pick between this , this , this , this or this ), captivating comebacks ( much respect to Zheng Qinwen ) and the top seeds eventually asserting their authority, it seems fitting that it all ends here: Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina, the world No 1 for the past 99 weeks v the player who will replace her at the top of the rankings on Monday. When these two are at their best no one else on tour can live with them – well, apart from peak Iga Swiatek – though it’s been a while since we’ve seen that version of the Pole at the grand slams. But, up until this tournament, it had been a while since we’d seen the best version of Sabalenka too. Having not claimed a slam title this year or reached a final since she won Miami in March, amid a series of defeats to much lower-ranked players during the summer, the two-time defending US Open champion has rediscovered her form this fortnight, gaining momentum and equilibrium as the rounds have gone by. She looks intent on salvaging her slam season In New York – as she did last year too – and losing her No 1 ranking will no doubt make her even more determined to prove a point today, while Rybakina will be full of confidence and feeling on top of the world, quite literally, after scaling the summit for the first time in her career. Continue reading...

Sep 12, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina: US Open 2026 women’s singles final – live

Women’s final updates from 9pm BST Finalists resume epic rivalry after switch at No 1 | Email Katy After an A+++ women’s tournament, in which we’ve seen so many must-watch matches (take your pick between this , this , this , this or this ), captivating comebacks ( much respect to Zheng Qinwen ) and the top seeds eventually asserting their authority, it seems fitting that it all ends here: Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina, the world No 1 for the past 99 weeks v the player who will replace her at the top of the rankings on Monday. When these two are at their best no one else on tour can live with them – well, apart from peak Iga Swiatek – though it’s been a while since we’ve seen that version of the Pole at the grand slams. But, up until this tournament, it had been a while since we’d seen the best version of Sabalenka too. Having not claimed a slam title this year or reached a final since she won Miami in March, amid a series of defeats to much lower-ranked players during the summer, the two-time defending US Open champion has rediscovered her form this fortnight, gaining momentum and equilibrium as the rounds have gone by. She looks intent on salvaging her slam season In New York – as she did last year too – and losing her No 1 ranking will no doubt make her even more determined to prove a point today, while Rybakina will be full of confidence and feeling on top of the world, quite literally, after scaling the summit for the first time in her career. Continue reading...

Sep 12, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Will it be a Sabalenka 'three-peat' or maiden US Open for new No 1 Rybakina?

Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is looking to become the first woman to achieve the 'three-peat' in New York since Serena Williams in 2014 but she faces incoming world No 1 Elena Rybakina in the US Open final on Saturday.

Sep 11, 2026 · bySky Sports

Sabalenka and Rybakina resume epic rivalry at US Open after switch at No 1

Rybakina will top rankings after tournament as pair continue to meet one another in grand slam finals A typically understated Elena Rybakina stepped up to the microphone for her speech after her triumph at Indian Wells in 2023, her long-awaited first WTA 1000 title, and one of her first objectives was to recognise the efforts of her opponent. Rybakina congratulated Aryna Sabalenka on a strong fortnight and noted that it was the first time she had beaten the Belarusian. Sabalenka’s mouth instantly curled into a mischievous grin and, as ever, she could not halt her impulsive thoughts: “I will make sure it is the last time,” Sabalenka said, laughing. Rybakina, herself also smiling, responded instantly: “No. No, no, no. We’ll see next time.” There has since been a next time, another next time and several next times after that and as Sabalenka and Rybakina, the top two players in the world, face off at the US Open, this latest encounter proves beyond doubt they have established themselves as one of the best recent rivalries in women’s tennis. Continue reading...

Sep 11, 2026 · byThe Guardian

Sabalenka and Rybakina resume epic rivalry at US Open after switch at No 1

Rybakina will top rankings after tournament as pair continue to meet one another in grand slam finals A typically understated Elena Rybakina stepped up to the microphone for her speech after her triumph at Indian Wells in 2023, her long-awaited first WTA 1000 title, and one of her first objectives was to recognise the efforts of her opponent. Rybakina congratulated Aryna Sabalenka on a strong fortnight and noted that it was the first time she had beaten the Belarusian. Sabalenka’s mouth instantly curled into a mischievous grin and, as ever, she could not halt her impulsive thoughts: “I will make sure it is the last time,” Sabalenka said, laughing. Rybakina, herself also smiling, responded instantly: “No. No, no, no. We’ll see next time.” There has since been a next time, another next time and several next times after that and as Sabalenka and Rybakina, the top two players in the world, face off at the US Open, this latest encounter proves beyond doubt they have established themselves as one of the best recent rivalries in women’s tennis. Continue reading...

Sep 11, 2026 · byThe Guardian