Elena Rybakina Captures First US Open Crown and Claims World No. 1
Sandego.net – Elena Rybakina completed a landmark night at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open women’s singles championship for the first time.
The result delivers more than a maiden Flushing Meadows trophy for the Russian-born Kazakhstani player. When the new rankings are released Monday, Rybakina will move ahead of Sabalenka to become the world No. 1.
Her victory came after a high-intensity three-set contest between the tournament’s top two seeds. Rybakina seized the opening set, Sabalenka responded with determination in the second, and the 27-year-old ultimately produced her most commanding tennis in the decider.
A Fast Start Despite Serving Difficulties
Rybakina needed just 44 minutes to secure the first set, winning it 6-4. Her serving numbers offered an unusual contrast to the scoreline: she put only 27% of first serves in during the set, yet remained highly effective when her service games came under pressure.
She surrendered only eight of 30 points played on her serve and did not face a single break point. That resilience gave her the room to exploit a difficult opening stretch from Sabalenka, who appeared frustrated with her level and repeatedly showed her emotions toward both herself and her coaching box.
Sabalenka, however, has built a career on recovering from difficult moments. The Belarusian gradually found greater control in the second set and forced Rybakina to work harder for every opening.
Sabalenka Forces a Decider
At 5-4 in the second set, Sabalenka had two opportunities to close it out, but Rybakina twice pulled level to make it 5-5. The top seed eventually held her nerve to take the set 7-5, extending the final into a deciding third set.
The turnaround briefly suggested that Sabalenka might be on course to retain the title she had won in both 2024 and 2025. Instead, Rybakina immediately reasserted herself once the final set began.
She surged to a 5-2 lead with two service breaks, placing Sabalenka under sustained pressure as the tension visibly returned for the defending champion. Rybakina then ended the match in emphatic fashion, firing an ace on championship point.
As Rybakina celebrated, Sabalenka threw her racket to the court before crossing the net for an embrace. After the brief exchange, she returned to her chair and broke the same racket.
Third Major Title of a Remarkable Season
The US Open title is Rybakina’s third Grand Slam singles victory and follows her Australian Open triumph earlier this year. It also gives her three tournament titles this season, matching Sabalenka and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva for the most on tour.
Rybakina earned a $5.5 million prize, the largest purse awarded in Grand Slam history. The financial reward reflects the scale of the achievement, but the ranking change may prove equally significant: she leaves New York as the player at the top of women’s tennis.
After the match, Rybakina struggled to put the experience into words, particularly after arriving at the tournament while managing an injury.
“I didn’t expect nothing like this coming to this tournament. I’ve been dealing with a little injury but somehow everything aligned together on my side.”
She also paid tribute to Sabalenka, describing the challenge of facing a player who had been nearly unbeatable at this event in recent years.
“It’s so difficult to play against you. You push to such limits. I was dying on the court and just tried to get all the possible balls.”
For Rybakina, the breakthrough carries special weight because of her past difficulties in New York. She told the crowd that the tournament had long been a frustrating stop in her career before this run transformed it into one of her defining memories.
“I honestly was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. Nothing close to that. Its just incredible. I am falling in love with New York more and more.”
Sabalenka’s Historic Run Ends
Sabalenka’s defeat ends a 19-match winning streak at the US Open. Having lifted the trophy in 2024 and 2025, she entered the final with the chance to become only the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles.
Serena Williams and Chris Evert are the only women to have achieved that feat. Sabalenka had also reached the 2023 final, where she lost to Coco Gauff, underlining the consistency she has shown on the New York hard courts.
Despite the disappointment, Sabalenka acknowledged both Rybakina’s performance and the support she received throughout the tournament.
“Obviously, I am disappointed but I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, incredible result. Well deserved.”
The final offered a clear picture of the fine margins at the top of the women’s game. Sabalenka’s second-set recovery showed why she has been such a dominant force in recent seasons, while Rybakina’s decisive response demonstrated the composure and power required to take over the No. 1 position.
With the season still continuing, Rybakina’s US Open breakthrough gives her a new status to defend. For now, though, her performance in New York stands as the biggest achievement of her year: a first US Open title, a third major trophy, and the world’s top ranking.
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