Aryna Sabalenka’s nightmare deepens as Elena Rybakina takes both US Open title and No. 1 ranking within 72 hours

Aryna Sabalenka’s US Open campaign ended with more than a painful final defeat. In just three days, the Belarusian lost the world No. 1 ranking and then watched her bid for a third straight US Open title disappear against Elena Rybakina. The collapse marked a rare low point in Sabalenka’s recent Grand Slam run, but her response afterward showed that she is already thinking about getting back to the top.Aryna Sabalenka loses world No. 1 ranking to Elena RybakinaThe warning signs had been building before Sabalenka even reached the US Open final.Rybakina had entered the tournament with a genuine chance to overtake Sabalenka at No. 1. Her rise had gained momentum after she defeated Sabalenka in the WTA Finals Riyadh championship match at the end of 2025. She then produced another dramatic win over the Belarusian at the Australian Open, recovering from a 3-0 deficit in the deciding set.Sabalenka knew the ranking battle was becoming difficult to ignore. Yet she tried to keep her attention on the court.“I completely separate myself from that, because it’s just guessing. It’s like if, if, if, if. I’m just trying to bring my best tennis every time I’m competing out there and basically fight for it,” she said after reaching the quarter-finals.Rybakina ultimately made the ranking change unavoidable. She defeated Qinwen Zheng to reach the US Open semi-finals, officially ending Sabalenka’s 99-week run at No. 1.Sabalenka responded with a short but striking message.“I don’t care!”Her point was clear. A Grand Slam trophy mattered more to her than holding the top ranking.Unfortunately for Sabalenka, she would lose both.Elena Rybakina defeats Sabalenka in US Open finalRybakina entered the final after beating Coco Gauff in the semi-finals, while Sabalenka arrived as the defending champion and favourite. She also carried an impressive record at Arthur Ashe Stadium, having not lost there in two years.The stakes were enormous. A victory would have made Sabalenka only the third woman in tennis history to win the US Open three consecutive times.Rybakina had other plans.The Kazakh player took the opening set 6-4, using her powerful groundstrokes to overcome a difficult start on serve. Sabalenka fought back in the second, breaking late to take it 7-5 and force a deciding set.That comeback proved temporary.Rybakina regained control in the third set, breaking for a 2-1 advantage before adding another break at 5-2. She finished the match with her 12th ace, completing a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory in two hours and 21 minutes.The result gave Rybakina her first US Open title and strengthened her claim as the leading force in women's tennis. When the WTA publishes its updated rankings, she will become the 30th woman in the Open Era to reach No. 1.For Sabalenka, the defeat ended a remarkable run. She will finish 2026 without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022.Still, she did not leave New York sounding defeated."I don't even know how many weeks I was able to be there, but it was amazing. Let's see if Elena can beat me in that. If she continues playing like that, I'm in trouble"Her words carried a warning as much as a compliment. Sabalenka may have lost her crown, but she already has her eyes on taking it back.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.