New No. 1 Elena Rybakina dethroned Aryna Sabalenkova to win the US Open title

Elena Rybakina holds the trophy after winning the US Open women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenkova. (AP photo) Elena Rybakina arrived in New York with the world number one within reach. She left with something even bigger — a US Open trophy and a place at the top of women’s tennis.Rybakina completed her coronation in emphatic fashion on Saturday, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenko 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory brought the Kazakh his first title at the US Open, his third Grand Slam crown and his second major of the year.The 27-year-old has already secured enough ranking points to replace Sabalenko at No.1 next week just by reaching the semi-finals. But Rybakina refused to stop there, knocking off the player who ruled New York for the past two years and ending Sabalenka’s remarkable streak at Flushing Meadows.“It’s hard to find words right now, honestly,” Rybakina said after the win. “I don’t expect anything like that in this tournament. I’ve been struggling a little bit with injuries, but somehow everything has come together on my side.”The triumph also completed a remarkable hard-court double for Rybakina, who defeated Sabalenkova in the Australian Open final this year. She is now just a French Open title away from completing a career Grand Slam, having already won Wimbledon in 2022.

Rybakina keeps her cool while Sabalenka falters

The final had all the ingredients of another classic between the world’s top two players, but Rybaka’s trademark composure ultimately proved decisive.The second seed immediately put pressure on Sabalenková’s serve and created 12 break opportunities, three of which she converted. Rybakina, the WTA Tour’s leading ace, struggled to find her usual rhythm on first serves, landing less than half of them in the game, but made up for it with a relentless return and clean hitting of the ball.Sabalenka’s frustration surfaced early. After double-faulting a 3-2 lead in the opening set, Rybakina hit the ball into the stands and broke the code. Rybakina then held her nerve and took the first set 6-4.Sabalenka responded in the second, increasing her aggression and finally finding a way through Rybakin’s defense. After the Kazakh saved two break points while serving at 4-4, Sabalenkova created another opportunity in the next game and this time turned it into an equalizer.But Rybakina regained control in the deciding set. Although she showed a rare flash of frustration after missing a backhand break in the opening game, she quickly leveled again and raced to a 5-2 lead before closing out the biggest win of her career in New York.Sabalenkova, who was aiming for a third US Open title in a row, could only watch the opportunity slip away.“I just competed there and tried to do my best with what I had out there today,” Sabalenka said after the match. “Not good enough.”

Elena Rybakina holds the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenkova. (AP photo)

Sabalenka’s reign in New York ends

The defeat ended Sabalenka’s 19-match US Open winning streak and denied her a place alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert as three consecutive New York champions.Sabalenka has dominated Arthur Ashe Stadium in recent years, reaching four consecutive US Open finals and at least the semifinals in six consecutive appearances. But Rybaka’s combination of strength, precision and remarkable composure proved too much.Sabalenkova herself recognized the danger that her opponent posed.“Her serve is amazing, the way she can step in and overpower you on the court, and especially when it’s a US Open court where it’s super fast, that’s definitely a huge advantage for her,” Sabalenka said. “Many things make her dangerous.The result also turned the standings at the top of women’s tennis. Sabalenka has 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 picked up at the end of the evening. She earned $5.5 million — the biggest 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.“Honestly, I’ve been coming here for the last 10 years and it’s never been successful – nothing like this,” Rybakina said. “It’s just incredible. I’m falling more and more in love with New York.”