New world No. 1 Elena Rybakina wins maiden US Open title in three-set thriller

Elena Rybakina Captures First US Open Crown and Takes Over No. 1 Ranking

Earthguardiansonline.com – Elena Rybakina completed a defining night at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, overcoming Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open women’s singles championship for the first time. The result will also place Rybakina at the top of the women’s rankings on Monday, ending Sabalenka’s reign as world No. 1.

The Russian-born Kazakhstani player entered the final as the tournament’s second seed and produced a composed response after Sabalenka forced the match into a deciding set. Rybakina ultimately sealed the title with an ace, punctuating a final in which momentum shifted repeatedly before she took full control late on.

The victory is Rybakina’s third Grand Slam singles title and her first since lifting the Australian Open trophy earlier this year. It also gave her a third title of the season, matching Sabalenka and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva for the highest total on tour.

A Fast Start Despite Serving Difficulties

Rybakina needed only 44 minutes to claim the opening set, 6-4. Her serving numbers in that stretch made the result particularly striking: she landed just 27% of her first serves, yet remained remarkably effective when points began. She surrendered only eight of the 30 points played on her serve and did not face a single break point.

Sabalenka, the top seed from Belarus, appeared visibly unsettled through much of the first set. She repeatedly showed frustration toward herself and her team, while Rybakina stayed steady and took advantage of the chances that emerged.

For Rybakina, the first-set success was a reminder that a player can still control a match even when one familiar strength is not operating at its usual level. Her ability to protect her service games and stay calm during the difficult moments gave her an early advantage against a player who had dominated the event in recent years.

Sabalenka Responds to Extend the Final

Sabalenka gradually found a firmer rhythm in the second set. The 28-year-old looked more assured from the baseline and had two opportunities to serve out the set while leading 5-4. Rybakina refused to let the contest end there, recovering on both occasions to level the score at 5-5.

Even so, Sabalenka eventually broke through to take the set 7-5. Her comeback set up a winner-take-all third set and briefly revived hopes of another US Open triumph for the player who had won the tournament in both 2024 and 2025.

The loss ended a 19-match winning streak for Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows. She had reached the 2023 final as well, when Coco Gauff defeated her for the title. A victory on Saturday would have made Sabalenka only the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles, alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert.

Rybakina Pulls Away in the Decider

There was little hesitation from Rybakina when the final set began. The 27-year-old immediately pressed forward, building a 5-2 lead with two service breaks. Sabalenka’s frustrations resurfaced as Rybakina moved within one game of the championship.

On match point, Rybakina delivered an ace to finish the 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory. Sabalenka threw her racket to the court before crossing the net to embrace the new champion. After the brief exchange, she returned to her bench and smashed the same racket again.

Rybakina’s win came with a $5.5 million prize, the largest payout in Grand Slam history. More importantly, it marks a major change at the summit of women’s tennis, with her US Open breakthrough carrying her past Sabalenka in the rankings.

An Emotional Moment in New York

During the trophy ceremony, Rybakina said she struggled to express what the triumph meant after arriving in New York with injury concerns.

“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.”

She also acknowledged the challenge Sabalenka presented across the three-set final.

“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.”

Rybakina praised Sabalenka as a “great champion” and thanked the crowd for creating what she called an “amazing atmosphere.” She reflected on a long stretch of unsuccessful appearances in New York before this year’s remarkable run.

“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, despite the disappointment of seeing her title run end, offered congratulations to her opponent and thanked the spectators who supported her throughout the two-week 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.”

For Rybakina, the final combined a maiden US Open title, a third major championship and the world No. 1 ranking in one unforgettable evening.