Against the odds: Rybakina’s unexpected US Open title
Against the odds: Rybakina's unexpected US Open title. Skip to main content Skip to navigation Zverev claims the US Open title amid a chaotic tournament — and season2dD'Arcy MaineAgainst the odds: Elena Rybakina's unexpected US Open title3dD'Arcy MaineNo rest for Shelton; heading to Davis, Laver Cups20hDjokovic drops from top 10; Rybakina tops women1dPlayers halting public protests as they seek bigger cut of revenues1dShelton on Zverev's 2nd serve routine: 'Shouldn't have unlimited time'1dD'Arcy MaineRodman goes from soccer game to US Open final to watch Shelton2dZverev dashes American hopes, beats Shelton in US Open final for 2nd major2dRybakina defeats Sabalenka, wins first US Open title3dWho has won the US Open?
What happened
From a questionable injury status to world No. 1, Elena Rybakina had a miraculous run to the US Open title. There was an errorElena Rybakina beats the two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open and her third Grand Slam title overall. 3dHarrison, Skupski win US Open men's doubles for 2nd Grand Slam title3dBen Shelton's shot at history comes Sunday in the US Open final3dD'Arcy MaineUS Open odds: Zverev, Sabalenka favored in respective finals; books sweating Shelton3dDoug GreenbergTiafoe sees another US Open run end in semis: 'I just want to win it'3dZverev, Sabalenka favorites to win US Open titles3dDoug Greenberg'Let's do it for the USA': Shelton looks to end wait in US Open final vs.
As the 2026 major season comes to a close, it's the unlikely duo of Zverev and Rybakina who walk away with multiple major titles after a US Open that won't be soon forgotten. Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win US Open for the first timeThis content isn't available any more. All-time tennis singles winners2dKeith JenkinsExperts' picks: Who will win the US Open men's title? "We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now we won two in a span of three months," Zverev said during his victory speech, referring to the last major title won by a German man — Boris Becker at the 1996 Australian Open.
The wider picture
From Federer's first major title at Wimbledon in 2003 to Djokovic's most recent triumph at the US Open in 2023, the trio won 66 of 81 Slams. Alcaraz did win the 2026 Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam, but in an unexpected twist, he defeated Djokovic, and not Sinner, in the final. The collective dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz appeared to be back on track. play1:38Alexander Zverev captures first US Open title of his careerBut that has not been the case at the chaotic, stunning, upset-riddled men's draw at the US Open.
The US Open exemplified that reversal with the top four seeds — Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff — all reaching the semifinals. Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in Saturday's final and leaves New York with her third major title — and also her second of 2026 — and the world No. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elena Rybakina has won two of the four Grand Slam singles titles available in 2026ByPhil CartwrightBBC Sport journalistPublished13 September 2026Elena Rybakina arrived in New York unable to walk without pain after injuring her foot.
Kazakhstan's Rybakina produced a brilliant performance to beat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 in Saturday's final and repeat her Australian Open success against the same player in January. "'Tough to control emotions' as Sabalenka suffers another near-missPublished2 days agoRybakina wins US Open to inflict further pain on SabalenkaPublished2 days agoListen: US Open podcast – Rybakina crowned championComposed Rybakina 'like a machine'Rybakina had already been confirmed as world number one by reaching the semi-finals in New York.
What has been reported
"However, nerves did show when Rybakina threw in two double faults as she served for the title. Rybakina has now won two of her three Grand Slam finals against Sabalenka, all of which have come on their favoured hard courts. 'She will win many more Slams'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rybakina made early exits at this year's French Open and Wimbledon, but won both hard-court Grand Slams in 2026On Monday, Rybakina will become the 30th different women to top the world rankings.
"Rybakina has completed three parts of the career Grand Slam, with just a French Open victory missing from her collection. "Related topicsTennisMore on this storyGB's Skupski wins US Open doubles title with HarrisonPublished2 days agoGB's Hewett beats Oda to win fifth US Open titlePublished2 days ago Zverev3dMatthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and more lead celebrity sightings at the 2026 US Open4dESPN StaffplayOops! Alexander Zverev doesn't realize he's won US Open (1:02)D'Arcy MaineMultiple AuthorsSep 13, 2026, 08:17 PM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK — After Ben Shelton's forehand return sailed out of bounds, Alexander Zverev went back to the baseline and appeared ready to continue with their match.
But after a few seconds his eyes drifted to the scoreboard and reality seemed to sink in: He had just won the US Open. It had taken three hours and 33 minutes — and six long years since his last devastating appearance in a final at Arthur Ashe Stadium — but he had secured the 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory on Sunday to claim his second major title of 2026 and of his career.
What happens next
The crowd was firmly in support of Shelton as he looked to become the first American man to win a major title in 23 years. He broke the powerful-serving Shelton in the opening game of the match and, save for a brief lapse in the third set, remained firmly in control throughout. "What you're doing is incredible, the way you're serving, the way you're moving and playing. . . [I'm] sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title.
"Zverev entered the season with an 0-3 record in Slam finals, including a heartbreaking loss in the 2020 US Open final after holding a two-set lead. Few could have predicted at the start of this year that he'd clinch two major titles by season's end. While not the fairy-tale outcome the home crowd wanted, Zverev's win and his bewildered reaction at the end somehow offered a fitting conclusion for a wildly chaotic major season — and US Open.
After Sinner and Alcaraz combined to win every major title in 2024 and 2025, and played each other in three major finals last year, it seemed as if the new season would be more of the same.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk, espn.com, skysports.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.