Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka for First US Open Title, Takes World No. 1 Spot
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Elena Rybakina captured her first US Open women's singles championship on Saturday, defeating top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set final at Flushing Meadows. The 27-year-old Kazakhstani player won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a match lasting 2 hours and 21 minutes, securing her third Grand Slam title and the world number one ranking . Sabalenka's dreams of a US Open three-peat shattered as she not only lost the final but also surrendered her 99-week reign at the top of the women's rankings . The Belarusian player showed her frustration immediately after the match, violently smashing her racket against the ground until it deformed .
Key Points
- Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open women's final, winning her first title at Flushing Meadows
- The match lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes, with Rybakina winning the first and third sets decisively
- This is Rybakina's third Grand Slam title, following her 2022 Wimbledon victory and 2026 Australian Open win
- Sabalenka lost the world number one ranking after 99 consecutive weeks; Rybakina will debut at the top spot on Monday
- After the match, Sabalenka smashed her racket repeatedly on the ground, saying releasing anger was better than keeping it inside
Why It Matters
Rybakina's victory completes all Grand Slam finals except the French Open, putting her on the cusp of achieving a career Grand Slam . The title swap marks a significant shift in women's tennis hierarchy, with the 27-year-old Rybakina ascending to world number one for the first time in her career . Sabalenka's emotional outburst underscores the immense pressure elite athletes face, and her gracious post-match comments praising Rybakina showed respect despite her disappointment .
Rybakina's victory completes all Grand Slam finals except the French Open, putting her on the cusp of achieving a career Grand Slam . The title swap marks a significant shift in women's tennis hierarchy, with the 27-year-old Rybakina ascending to world number one for the first time in her career . Sabalenka's emotional outburst underscores the immense pressure elite athletes face, and her gracious post-match comments praising Rybakina showed respect despite her disappointment .