Elena Rybakina Rises to No. 1 After Capturing First US Open Crown
Qwenews.com – 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 title for the first time. The victory also means the Russian-born Kazakhstani will move ahead of Sabalenka to become the new world No. 1 when the rankings update on Monday.
The final delivered the kind of momentum swings expected from a meeting between the tournament’s top two seeds. Rybakina controlled the opening set, Sabalenka fought back to level the match, and the 27-year-old ultimately produced her sharpest tennis in the deciding set to secure a third Grand Slam trophy.
A fast start despite serving difficulties
Rybakina needed only 44 minutes to take the first set 6-4, though her serve statistics made the result particularly striking. She landed just 27% of her first serves, but stayed composed behind her delivery, losing only eight of 30 service points and never facing a break point.
Sabalenka, the top seed from Belarus, struggled to settle early. Her frustration was visible as she spoke to herself and looked toward her coaching box during the set. Rybakina, meanwhile, kept the pressure on with efficient baseline play and made the most of the openings that came her way.
The opening-set performance gave Rybakina an important advantage, but Sabalenka has repeatedly shown an ability to recover under pressure. In the second set, she began to take greater control and pushed the championship match toward a tense finish.
Sabalenka forces a decider
With a 5-4 lead in the second set, Sabalenka had two chances to close it out. Rybakina refused to yield, however, pulling level at 5-5 on both occasions and extending the contest. Sabalenka eventually found the breakthrough she needed, claiming the set 7-5 to send the final into a third set.
For Sabalenka, the comeback kept alive the possibility of a third consecutive US Open title. She had won the tournament in 2024 and 2025 after finishing runner-up to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final. A victory would have made her only the third woman of the Open Era to win three straight US Open singles titles, alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
Instead, the final set became Rybakina’s defining stretch. She began with clear purpose, racing to a 5-2 lead after breaking Sabalenka twice. As Rybakina moved closer to the trophy, Sabalenka’s earlier frustration resurfaced.
On match point, Rybakina delivered an ace to end the contest. She celebrated her breakthrough title, while Sabalenka threw her racket to the court before crossing the net to congratulate her opponent. After the brief embrace, Sabalenka returned to her bench and smashed the same racket.
A third major title and a new ranking summit
The championship is Rybakina’s third Grand Slam singles title and her first since winning the Australian Open earlier this year. It also gives her three 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 payout in Grand Slam history. Beyond the financial reward, the result changes the shape of the women’s game at the top: the US Open champion will replace Sabalenka as No. 1 after a tournament in which both players had much at stake.
Her victory carried extra significance given her history in New York. Rybakina said she had spent years trying to find success at the US Open without coming close to this stage, making the title especially meaningful.
“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.”
Rybakina also acknowledged the challenge posed by Sabalenka, praising her opponent as a “great champion.”
“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 … I can’t find the words, I am sorry.”
The champion thanked the spectators for creating what she described as an “amazing atmosphere,” and reflected on how dramatically her experience at Flushing Meadows had changed.
“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 and it’s more amazing memories for me.”
Sabalenka’s streak comes to an end
Sabalenka leaves New York disappointed but with a significant recent record at the event. Her defeat ended a 19-match winning streak at the US Open, built through her titles in 2024 and 2025. Although she could not complete a historic three-peat, she remained gracious in her post-match remarks.
“Obviously, I am disappointed but I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, incredible result. Well deserved, enjoy it, have fun tonight, tomorrow, and until the end of the season so I can play well and win some titles.”
The final illustrated the narrow margins between two of the sport’s leading players. Sabalenka’s second-set response showed why she had entered the match as the top seed, but Rybakina’s composure in the decisive moments proved decisive. Her first US Open trophy now adds another major chapter to a season that has lifted her to the summit of women’s tennis.
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