Elena Rybakina has secured her maiden US Open title, overcoming two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a hard-fought final. The Kazakh player triumphed with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 victory at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina's win also confirms her ascent to the world number one ranking, a position she was set to claim regardless of the final's outcome. This marks her third career Grand Slam title, adding to her Wimbledon win in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.
Sabalenka, who had hoped to win a third consecutive US Open title, appeared fraught during the tense performance. Rybakina, in contrast, maintained her composure throughout the match, a key factor in her success.
The 27-year-old Rybakina expressed her satisfaction, stating, "I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I'm falling in love with New York more and more." She also revealed uncertainty about her fitness for the tournament after an ankle injury at the Cincinnati Open.
An emotional Sabalenka addressed the crowd, saying, "I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess next year." This defeat marks her fifth loss in nine major finals.