Elena Rybakina has captured her maiden US Open singles title, defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory at Flushing Meadows not only marks a career milestone for the 27-year-old but also confirms that the Russian-born Kazakhstani will replace Sabalenka as the new world number one in the women’s tennis rankings.
The opening set saw Rybakina command the court in just 44 minutes, clinching a 6-4 lead despite managing to land only 27% of her first serves. Her performance was remarkably efficient as she avoided facing a single break point and conceded only eight of the 30 points on her own serve. Conversely, the Belarusian top seed struggled early, audibly expressing her frustration to her coaching box.
Sabalenka, a two-time defending champion, fought back in the second set, though she faced significant pressure when the score reached 5-5. Despite two opportunities for Rybakina to close the match while leading 5-4, Sabalenka eventually secured the set 7-5 to force a decider. The match momentum shifted decisively in the third set as Rybakina surged to a 5-2 lead, ultimately sealing the championship with an ace on match point.
The defeat snaps a 19-match winning streak for Sabalenka at the US Open, preventing her from becoming the third woman in the open era to secure three consecutive titles at the tournament. Following the final point, a visibly frustrated Sabalenka threw her racket to the ground before embracing her opponent, later smashing her racket on the bench after the ceremony.
Rybakina’s victory marks her third career Grand Slam title, following her success at the Australian Open earlier this year. She earned a record-breaking $5.5 million prize—the largest in Grand Slam history—and currently holds three titles this season, matching the achievements of Sabalenka and French Open winner Mirra Andreeva.
Reflecting on her journey, Rybakina admitted it was “tough to finds words,” noting she had been playing through a minor injury. “I didn’t expect nothing like this coming to this tournament,” she said. She credited the “amazing atmosphere” of the crowd, highlighting that her previous decade of attempts in New York had yielded little success until this breakthrough.
In her post-match comments to ESPN, Sabalenka offered praise for her rival. “Obviously, I am disappointed but I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, incredible result,” she said. “Well deserved, enjoy it, have fun tonight, tomorrow, and until the end of the season so I can play well and win some titles.” The report also notes that while up 5-4, had the chance to put the set away twice but both times, Rybakina drew right back to tie it up at 5-5, the 28-year-old. The report also notes that quickly jumping out to a 5-2 double-break lead, putting Sabalenka on the ropes with the frustration coming back to haunt her, the 27-year-old Rybakina came out on a mission to start the third set. The report also notes that making her feelings known about the struggles as she mouthed her displeasure to herself and her coaching box, the Belarusian Sabalenka looked at odds with herself for a good portion of the opening set. The report also notes that she sat down on the bench and smashed the same racket, following a brief hug. The report also notes that “I’ve been dealing with a little injury but somehow everything aligned together on my side.”. The report also notes that “It’s so difficult to play against you. The report also notes that i was dying on the court and just tried to get all the possible balls … I can’t find the words, I am sorry.”.
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