Rybakina Dethrones Sabalenka to Win US Open

Elena Rybakina demonstrated why she is the best women's player in the world by beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title..

Kazakhstan's Rybakina already knew she would be the new world number one after Saturday's final regardless of the result, and she celebrated with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 victory over the player she will replace.

Rybakina was the more composed of the two throughout as she claimed the third Grand Slam title of her career, having triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.

Sabalenka hoped to soften the blow of losing the top ranking by winning a third consecutive US Open title - but looked fraught in a tense performance.

Rybakina and Sabalenka have developed a strong rivalry built not only on their outstanding talent but their contrasting personalities.

And Rybakina's ice-cool composure - the direct opposite of the Belarusian's combustible nature - was a key difference as she took control at Flushing Meadows.

"I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I'm falling in love with New York more and more," Rybakina, 27, said.

Rybakina was unable to walk for several days after injuring her ankle in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, putting her chances of competing here in serious jeopardy.

"Some magic is happening. I was unlucky with injury and just going day by day," Rybakina told Sky Sports.

"We didn't know how it was going to be so I'm super happy and still can't believe it."

For Sabalenka's it was her fifth defeat from nine majors final and provides further weight to the argument that she has underachieved at the biggest tournaments given her dominance on the WTA Tour.

"The last thing I want to do right now is give a speech but I will try my best," an emotional Sabalenka told the 24,000 crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess next year."

- Author: Jonathan Jurejko, BBC

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