Also known as: the big-serving Kazakh Rybakina · the Moscow-born Rybakina · the 26-year-old Rybakina
Kazakh tennis player who won the 2026 US Open and Australian Open, reaching world number one after defeating Sabalenka in the US Open final.
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The Namibian
Elena Rybakina denied Aryna Sabalenka a third straight US Open title
“Elena Rybakina denied Aryna Sabalenka a third straight US Open title on Saturday, punctuating her rise to world number one with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over the player she's replacing at the summit.”
Rybakina triumphs in US Open, denies Sabalenka three peatThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina won her third Grand Slam title with a victory over Sabalenka
“Kazakhstan's Rybakina, assured of supplanting Sabalenka atop the rankings by reaching the semi-finals in New York, won her third Grand Slam title to go with her 2022 Wimbledon crown and the Australian Open trophy she lifted this year with a win over Sabalenka.”
Rybakina triumphs in US Open, denies Sabalenka three peatThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina will compete against Aryna Sabalenka in women's final
“The women's final is on Saturday, when Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina will try to deny Aryna Sabalenka a third straight title just days after ending the Belarusian's near two-year reign atop the world rankings by reaching the semi-finals.”
Shelton tops Tiafoe to book US Open title clash with ZverevThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina battled back to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
“Rybakina battled back to beat 2023 champion Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.”
‘Desperate’ Sabalenka books US Open title clash with RybakinaThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina will jump to world number one after defeating Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
“Rybakina will jump to world number one in next week's rankings after beating Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.”
Gauff defeats Andreeva to reach US Open semi with RybakinaThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina beat Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to reach quarter-finals
“She'll next face world number two Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion who cruised past a hurting Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 in just 66 minutes.”
Zheng stuns Swiatek to reach US Open quarter finals, Zverev and Rybakina advanceThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina suffered a surprise exit in a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 defeat against Elise Mertens
“Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina also suffered a surprise exit in a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 defeat against Elise Mertens on Court One.”
Swiatek dumped out of Wimbledon by Eala, Serena withdraws from doublesThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final
“The only blight on that record being a three-set defeat to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.”
Stuttering Sabalenka seeks to set down marker at Roland GarrosNew Era
Elena Rybakina beat Sabalenka at the Australian Open
“There were again serious question marks over Sabalenka's mentality in finals after she was beaten by Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open but the resilient Belarusian has answered those in style.”
Sabalenka beats Gauff to seal Miami Open and Indian Wells doubleThe Namibian
Elena Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open finals
“Sabalenka underscored her WTA dominance in a season in which her only defeat to date was her Australian Open finals loss to Elena Rybakina — who she went on to beat in the Indian Wells title match and in the semi-finals here.”
Sabalenka sinks Gauff to win second straight Miami Open titleElena Rybakina won the US Open tennis championship with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, securing her third Grand Slam title and rising to world number one in the rankings.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Elena Rybakina won the US Open tennis championship with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, securing her third Grand Slam title and rising to world number one in the rankings.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in the US Open semi-final to reach his first Grand Slam final, where he will face top seed Alexander Zverev, who beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6). If Shelton wins, he would become the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.
12 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semi-finals to reach the US Open championship match against Elena Rybakina, who beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Sabalenka is bidding for a third consecutive US Open title.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Fourth-ranked American Coco Gauff saved two match points to defeat reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva 2–6, 7–6 (9/7), 6–2 in a US Open quarter-final on Wednesday, advancing to face Kazakh star Elena Rybakina in Thursday's semi-finals. Rybakina will become world number one after beating Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen 3–6, 6–1, 6–4.
10 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Zheng Qinwen defeated Iga Swiatek in a comeback victory to reach the US Open quarter-finals, where she will face Elena Rybakina. Men's top seed Alexander Zverev also advanced safely to the last eight.
8 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Arthur Fery, a British wildcard ranked 114th, defeated Grigor Dimitrov 7–5, 3–6, 4–6, 6–4, 7–6 (10/7) in a five-set match to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday. Fery, 23, will face ninth seed Flavio Cobolli and aims to become only the fifth British man to reach the semi-finals in the Open era.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines defeated Iga Swiatek 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 in the third round of Wimbledon, ending the defending champion's title defence and marking Eala's first Grand Slam last-16 appearance. Serena Williams withdrew from the doubles tournament, while second seed Elena Rybakina also crashed out.
5 July 2026 · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka crashed out of the French Open quarter-finals to 25th seed Diana Shnaider, losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 after collapsing mentally in the second set. Shnaider advances to face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the semi-finals, while Flavio Cobolli won to set up an all-Italian men's semi-final.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, arrives in Paris for Roland Garros aiming to win the tournament after finishing as runner-up last year to Coco Gauff. Her dominance has shown signs of weakness following recent losses, including a quarter-final exit at Madrid to 30th seed Hailey Baptiste during the European clay swing.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to successfully defend her Miami Open title and complete the Sunshine Double, becoming the first player since Iga Swiatek four years ago to win the WTA 1000 titles in Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back.
30 March 2026 · New Era →
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to win her second consecutive Miami Open title, completing the Indian Wells-Miami "Sunshine Double" sweep. The world number one from Belarus became the first woman since Iga Swiatek in 2022 to win both elite early season hardcourt WTA 1000 titles.
29 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Aryna Sabalenka saved a match point to defeat Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) in the Indian Wells final on Sunday, claiming her first title at the event after previous losses to Rybakina in four consecutive finals. The victory ended a frustrating run against Rybakina, including losses at Indian Wells in 2023 and the Australian Open in January.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4, and Elena Rybakina beat Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4, to meet in the Indian Wells title match for a rematch of their Australian Open final.
14 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Elena Rybakina defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the Australian Open final to claim her second Grand Slam title. The Kazakh fifth seed held her nerve in a tense match at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to take revenge after losing the 2023 final to the same opponent.
1 February 2026 · The Namibian →
World number one Aryna Sabalenka clashes with Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open women's final on Saturday. Both players have reached the final without dropping a set and will meet for the first time since their 2023 Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won before successfully defending the title in 2024.
31 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Jannik Sinner defeated fellow Italian Luciano Darderi to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals, while defending champion Madison Keys lost to Jessica Pegula as Melbourne faced forecast temperatures of 45C. The tournament implemented health measures including 10-minute breaks during longer matches and plans to use indoor courts as extreme heat continues.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, with Sinner defending his two-time title and Djokovic pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam. Stan Wawrinka, at 40, became the oldest player in 45 years to reach the men's third round at a Grand Slam before retiring.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Jannik Sinner won his opening match at the Australian Open when opponent Hugo Gaston retired, while Naomi Osaka drew attention with a jellyfish-inspired outfit of white parasol, wide-brimmed hat and veil before defeating Croatia's Antonia Ruzic.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →