Rybakina beats Sabalenka to become US Open champion

Elena Rybakina defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open women’s singles title and claim the world No. 1 ranking.

The Kazakh star controlled much of the opening set with deep groundstrokes and a precise backhand, taking a 5-3 lead before closing it out 6-4. Sabalenka fought back in the second, breaking Rybakina at 5-5 before taking the set 7-5 to force a decider.

Rybakina, however, quickly regained control in the third set and pulled away to win 6-2 and secure her third Grand Slam title. She previously won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.

The victory was Rybakina’s second Grand Slam final win over Sabalenka. The pair have now met in three of the past four Grand Slam finals, with Sabalenka winning their 2023 Australian Open showdown.

Sabalenka had been unbeaten in her previous 20 matches at Flushing Meadows but could not extend that run against Rybakina. After the defeat, she vented her frustration by smashing her racket against her chair.

“I have no words right now. I’m falling more and more in love with New York every day,” Rybakina said after lifting the trophy.

Rybakina had never progressed beyond the fourth round at the US Open before this year. She has now gone all the way to the title.