Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win her first US Open women’s singles title on Sunday. Rybakina claimed a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium to secure her third Grand Slam title.
The 27-year-old made a strong start and took the opening set 6-4 against the two time defending champion.
Sabalenka responded in the second set. The top seed fought back to take it 7-5 and force the final into a deciding set. But Rybakina quickly regained control.
She broke Sabalenka in the third game of the deciding set and then held serve to move 3-1 ahead. Rybakina continued to put pressure on Sabalenka’s serve. She earned another break to move 5-2 ahead and give herself the chance to serve for the championship.
She finished the match with an ace to complete the victory. The result ended Sabalenka’s bid to win a third straight US Open title.
It also completed a memorable Grand Slam season for Rybakina. She beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final in January and has now defeated her again to win the US Open.
Rybakina has won two Grand Slam titles this year. Her first major came at Wimbledon in 2022. She will also become the new world number one when the latest WTA rankings are released soon.
Rybakina will become the 30th woman to reach the top of the WTA rankings, ending Sabalenka’s run of 99 consecutive weeks at number one.
