Rybakina overcomes Sabalenka to claim third Grand Slam title
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win the US Open women's singles final, securing her third Grand Slam title. The Kazakh player, who had been dealing with an ankle injury, snapped Sabalenka's 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows. Rybakina will rise to world number one after the victory.
Rybakina entered the tournament under an injury cloud after sustaining an ankle problem before play began, yet she managed to overcome the setback and produce her best tennis when it mattered most. The victory adds to her 2022 Wimbledon title and this year's Australian Open crown, completing a career Grand Slam collection across three different surfaces.
The final marked the third time Rybakina and Sabalenka had met in a Grand Slam championship match, with the Kazakh improving her record in those high-stakes encounters. Sabalenka had been pursuing a third consecutive US Open title, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams and Chris Evert, but her 20-match winning streak at the venue came to an abrupt end.
This result reshapes the women's tennis hierarchy, with Rybakina's rise to world number one potentially inspiring greater interest in the sport across Central Asia. Her success may also influence how young players from non-traditional tennis nations view their own prospects. The defeat could prompt Sabalenka to reassess her approach in high-pressure finals, while the competitive rivalry between these two players may draw new audiences to the women's game.