Elena Rybakina had to play with composure to beat defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 and win her first U.S. Open title at Flushing Meadows.
With the win, the Kazakhstan representative has won her third Grand Slam title. She had previously conquered Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open this year, which she completed with a win over Sabalenka in the final.
Rybakina knew that no matter what, she would be the new world No. 1 on the WTA list on Saturday. Sabalenka had been the top seed for 99 consecutive weeks, however the change was already made at the top of the rankings by Rybakina’s run to the final.
The 27-year-old made a better start, winning the first set 6-4. Sabalenka obliged in the second set, however, and won it 7-5 to send the game to a decider.
Rybakina rallied in the deciding set. She put on a constant challenge for Sabalenka’s serve and prevailed in the decider to finish with the biggest US Open title in her career.
Sabalenka was going for her third straight US Open victory. Her loss brought her 19-match winning streak at the event to a halt, and now she’ll be looking to win her next major title in 2026.
The title also concluded an impressive recovery for Rybakina, who was in question to play in New York due to his ankle injury. Now she will be exiting the tournament as a Grand Slam champion and the new No. 1 women’s tennis player.
Rybakina also won her second hard court Grand Slams of the year, joining Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber in becoming the third female athlete this century to do so.
