Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Claim First US Open Title
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open. The victory also secured her the world No. 1 ranking. She prevented Sabalenka from winning a third consecutive title in New York.
The final marked a rematch of January's Australian Open title match, where Rybakina also defeated Sabalenka. With the victory, Rybakina collected her third major trophy, adding to her Wimbledon crown from 2022 and her Melbourne triumph earlier this year. She now needs only a Roland Garros title to complete a career Grand Slam.
Rybakina's serve proved decisive throughout the championship match. She delivered 12 aces and won roughly 85 percent of points behind her first delivery, surrendering just one break across three sets. Her season now mirrors rare company, as only Angelique Kerber and Sabalenka herself had previously swept the Australian and US Opens in the same year since 2000.
The result reshapes the women's tennis hierarchy, with Rybakina's rise to No. 1 potentially shifting attention toward her rivalry with Sabalenka. Fans and broadcasters may see renewed interest in their matchups, while younger players could view Rybakina's path as a model for combining power with precision. The outcome also ends Sabalenka's New York dominance, which may open the tournament's narrative to a wider range of contenders in coming years.