Ruthless Rybakina dethrones Sabalenka to claim first US Open crown
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Elena Rybakina with the US Open trophy after beating Aryna Sabalenka on Sept 12 in the women’s singles final match.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Elena Rybakina defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win her first US Open title and secure her third Grand Slam crown.
- Rybakina overcame an ankle injury and Sabalenka's 20-match winning streak, showing calmness and skill to claim the US$5.5 million prize.
- Sabalenka showed frustration and fought hard, but Rybakina's steady performance in the final set ensured her victory and denied Sabalenka a third straight US Open title.
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NEW YORK – The stars aligned in Elena Rybakina’s favour for a US Open triumph she never expected on Sept 12, as she became the champion and new world No. 1 despite an injury that nearly derailed her campaign.
The Russia-born player, who represents Kazakhstan, beat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 a little more than three weeks after an ankle injury forced her out of the Cincinnati tune-up tournament, raising questions over whether she would even compete in New York.
But the 27-year-old shrugged off those concerns to add the US Open title to her Australian Open triumph in 2026 and Wimbledon success in 2022.
Displaying icy composure, she snapped Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows and denied the Belarusian the chance to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert with three straight New York titles.
“It’s tough to find words right now. I didn’t expect anything like this coming to the tournament,” said a beaming Rybakina, who became only the third woman this century to win both hard-court Major trophies in the same year after Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber.
“I’ve been dealing a bit with an injury. Somehow everything aligned together on my side. Aryna... it’s so difficult to play against you. You push me to the limit.
“I want to say thank you to the beautiful spectators for such a beautiful atmosphere. I’ve been coming here for the last 10 years and was never successful... I’m falling in love with New York more and more.”
The Sept 12 title showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium had all the ingredients of a classic between the top two in the rankings and though Sabalenka brought late aggression, Rybakina was unruffled and prevailed to pocket the US$5.5 million (S$7 million) prize.
Dressed in a yellow-and-black outfit that evoked a bee, Rybakina produced some stinging groundstrokes but was unable to make the early pressure count as Sabalenka unleashed big serves to hold firm in the pair’s third Grand Slam final meeting.
The second seed drew first blood to lead 3-2 following a Sabalenka double fault, with the frustrated Belarusian earning a code violation immediately afterwards for launching a ball high into the stands of the main show court.
“It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of the Grand Slam and when you’re trying to go for the ‘three-peat’ so I wanted to let it go,” Sabalenka said.
“If I had held it inside, I wouldn’t be able to say a word.”
Sabalenka’s irritation became increasingly evident with each missed shot and squandered opportunity, in stark contrast to the trademark calm etched on Rybakina’s face as the Kazakh tightened her grip on the opening set and clinched it with a tight hold.
A sudden drop-off in Rybakina’s level midway through the second set gave her 28-year-old rival hope, and she produced a delicate drop shot and a stunning backhand cross-court winner en route to forcing a deciding set.
Sabalenka let out a huge roar after another backhand winner to hold in a tight opening game of the third set.
However, Rybakina’s quality shone through her red-and-blue-framed racket as she took a commanding 5-2 lead and then closed out a famous triumph to leave her Belarusian rival without any major silverware in 2026.
The mild-mannered Rybakina’s celebration had a little more pizzazz than one might expect from a routine match victory, and she calmly packed her belongings at her bench as Sabalenka sat with her demolished racket.
“It’s the last thing I want to do right now – give a speech. But I’ll try my very best,” said a teary Sabalenka, who had also lost to Rybakina in the Australian Open final earlier in the year.
“Thank you everyone. Thank you for the support for the two weeks... obviously I’m disappointed but I want to congratulate Elena. I really felt like home here and I cannot wait to come back next year.
“I wish I could perform a bit better but, I guess, next year.”
The action resumes on Sept 13 with another final, where Ben Shelton bids to end a 23-year American wait for a men’s Grand Slam champion when he plays top seed Alexander Zverev. REUTERS