Rybakina triumphs in US Open, denies Sabalenka three-peat
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final to claim her third Grand Slam title. The victory also marks Rybakina's ascent to the world number one ranking.
Why it matters
This match represents a significant shift in the hierarchy of women's professional tennis as Rybakina overtakes the reigning champion.
Elena Rybakina denied Aryna Sabalenka a third straight US Open title on Saturday, punctuating her rise to world number one with a victory over the player she's replacing at the summit.
Rybakina, already assured of supplanting Sabalenka atop the rankings by reaching the semi-finals in New York, triumphed 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to claim her third Grand Slam title.
She won her first at Wimbledon in 2022 and beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open title to claim her second in January.
"It feels amazing," Rybakina said. "It's still so difficult to process what happened. Too much achievements these few weeks. I'm super happy, very proud of all the work. It's just amazing."
She ended Sabalenka's 20-match winning streak in Flushing Meadows, where the 2024 and 2025 champion hadn't lost since falling to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final.
Also covering this story
10 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Elena Rybakina bests defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first U.S. Open
New No. 1 Elena Rybakina dethrones Aryna Sabalenka to win US Open title
Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win US Open title, punctuate her rise to No. 1
From struggling to walk to lifting trophy - how Rybakina triumphed
Sabalenka and Rybakina to Collide in Seismic US Open Final Showdown
Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win the US Open title and punctuate her rise to No. 1
Sabalenka and Rybakina resume epic rivalry at US Open after switch at No 1
'I feel American': Sabalenka embraces US Open atmosphere in title defeat
Ruthless Rybakina dethrones Sabalenka to claim first U.S. Open crown
How to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: US Open Final, live stream, TV channel
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