Elena Rybakina Claims First US Open Crown and Rises to World No. 1
Goldlaner.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 championship for the first time. The victory also guarantees that Rybakina will move past Sabalenka to become the new world No. 1 when the rankings are updated on Monday.
The 27-year-old Russian-born Kazakhstani player delivered a composed performance in a final that shifted dramatically from set to set. Her win at Flushing Meadows is the third Grand Slam singles title of her career and follows her Australian Open triumph earlier this year.
A fast start despite serving difficulties
Rybakina needed only 44 minutes to take the opening set, 6-4, even though her first-serve percentage was unusually low. She landed just 27% of her first serves, yet remained highly effective behind her delivery, losing only eight of the 30 points played on her service games and never facing a break point.
Sabalenka, the tournament’s top seed, appeared unsettled during much of the first set. The Belarusian repeatedly showed frustration toward herself and her coaching team as Rybakina stayed steady and made the most of her opportunities.
The result was a striking opening chapter to a final between two of the sport’s most powerful players. Rybakina’s ability to protect her serve without finding her usual rhythm gave her an early advantage, while Sabalenka was left searching for consistency.
Sabalenka forces a deciding set
The second set brought a sharper response from Sabalenka. She began to impose herself more effectively and looked increasingly in control as the match reached its middle stage. With a 5-4 lead, she had two chances to finish the set, but Rybakina fought back on both occasions to level the score at 5-5.
Sabalenka eventually converted the set, winning it 7-5 and taking the contest into a deciding third. Her recovery reflected the resilience that has defined many of her biggest victories, and it briefly suggested that the defending champion might again find a way through a tense Grand Slam final.
Instead, Rybakina responded with her strongest stretch of tennis. She opened the third set with clear intent, racing to a 5-2 lead after breaking Sabalenka twice. The pressure returned to Sabalenka, whose frustration became more visible as Rybakina closed in on the title.
At championship point, Rybakina ended the contest emphatically with an ace. Sabalenka threw her racket to the court before crossing the net to congratulate her opponent. After the brief embrace, she returned to her chair and smashed the same racket.
A breakthrough in New York
The championship changes the picture at the top of women’s tennis. Rybakina will replace Sabalenka as No. 1, adding the US Open trophy to an already exceptional season. She is now level with Sabalenka and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva for the most titles on tour this year, with three each.
Her prize money was listed at $5.5 million, the largest single prize in Grand Slam history. Beyond the financial reward, the result gives Rybakina a major breakthrough at a tournament where she had previously struggled to make a deep run.
“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 said she found it difficult to put the achievement into words after the match. She also acknowledged the challenge of facing Sabalenka, whose power and intensity made every stage of the final demanding.
“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.”
She described Sabalenka as a “great champion” and thanked the New York spectators for creating an “amazing atmosphere.” Rybakina also reflected on the contrast between this tournament and her earlier experiences in the city.
“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 New York streak ends
For Sabalenka, the defeat ended a 19-match winning run at the US Open. She had won the title in 2024 and 2025 after reaching the 2023 final, where she lost to Coco Gauff. A third consecutive championship would have made her only the third woman in the Open Era to accomplish that feat, alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
Despite the disappointment, Sabalenka used her post-match remarks to praise Rybakina and thank the New York crowd for its support throughout the tournament.
“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 underlined the narrow margins at the highest level of the women’s game. Sabalenka showed why she had been the dominant force in New York over the previous two years, but Rybakina’s calm recovery after losing the second set proved decisive. With a new No. 1, a new US Open champion and three Grand Slam titles to her name, Rybakina leaves New York with the biggest victory of her career.
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