Elena Rybakina arrived in New York with the world No. 1 ranking already within reach. She left with something even bigger — the US Open trophy and a place at the summit of women’s tennis.Rybakina completed her coronation in emphatic fashion on Saturday, beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory delivered the Kazakh her first US Open title, her third Grand Slam crown and her second major of the year.The 27-year-old had already secured enough ranking points to replace Sabalenka at No. 1 next week simply by reaching the semifinals. But Rybakina refused to stop there, taking down the player who had ruled New York for the past two years and ending Sabalenka’s remarkable winning streak at Flushing Meadows.“It’s tough to find words right now, honestly,” Rybakina said after the win. “I don’t expect nothing like this coming to this tournament. I’ve been dealing with a little bit with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side.”The triumph also completed a remarkable hard-court double for Rybakina, who defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year. She now needs only the French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, having already won Wimbledon in 2022.
Rybakina keeps her cool as Sabalenka falters
The final had all the ingredients of another classic between the world’s top two players, but Rybakina’s trademark composure ultimately proved decisive.The second seed immediately put pressure on Sabalenka’s serve and created 12 break opportunities, converting three. Rybakina, the WTA Tour’s leading ace hitter, struggled to find her usual rhythm on first serve, landing less than half of them in play, but compensated with relentless returning and clean ball-striking.Sabalenka’s frustration surfaced early. After double-faulting to hand Rybakina a 3-2 lead in the opening set, she smashed a ball into the stands and received a code violation. Rybakina then held her nerve to take the first set 6-4.Sabalenka responded in the second, raising her aggression and finally finding a way through Rybakina’s defences. After the Kazakh saved two break points while serving at 4-4, Sabalenka created another opportunity in the next game and this time converted it to level the match.But Rybakina regained control in the deciding set. Despite showing a rare flash of frustration after missing a backhand on break point in the opening game, she quickly settled again and surged ahead 5-2 before closing out the biggest victory of her career in New York.Sabalenka, who had been chasing a third consecutive US Open title, could only watch the opportunity disappear.“I was just out there competing, trying to do my best with what I had there today,” Sabalenka said after the match. “Not good enough.”
Elena Rybakina holds the trophy after she won the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka. (AP Photo)
Sabalenka’s New York reign ends
The defeat ended Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak at the US Open and denied her a place alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert as a three-time consecutive champion in New York.Sabalenka had dominated Arthur Ashe Stadium in recent years, reaching four straight US Open finals and at least the semifinals in six consecutive appearances. But Rybakina’s combination of power, accuracy and remarkable calm proved too much.Sabalenka herself acknowledged the danger posed by her opponent.“Her serve is amazing, the way she’s able to step in and overpower you on court, and especially if it’s a U.S. Open court where it’s super fast, it’s definitely a huge advantage for her,” Sabalenka said. “A lot of things make her dangerous.”The result also flipped the rankings at the top of women’s tennis. Sabalenka had occupied No. 1 for 99 consecutive weeks, but Rybakina will officially take over the position on Monday.For Rybakina, however, the biggest prize was the one she lifted at the end of the night. She earned $5.5 million — the largest prize in Grand Slam history — and turned a tournament that had once been a source of frustration into the scene of her greatest New York triumph.“I honestly was coming here for the last 10 years, and it was never successful — nothing close to that,” Rybakina said. “It’s just incredible. I’m falling in love with New York more and more.”
