Rybakina Dethrones Sabalenka at US Open

The update

Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, to claim her first US Open title and cement her position as the new world No. 1. The 27-year-old Kazakh player, who was already guaranteed to replace Sabalenka at the top of the rankings, overcame the two-time defending champion in a hard-fought three-set match.

Why it matters

This victory represents a significant shift in women’s tennis, as Rybakina dethrones Sabalenka, who had been the world No. 1 for 99 consecutive weeks. The win gives Rybakina her third career Grand Slam title, following her Australian Open triumph this year and Wimbledon success in 2022. Despite dealing with an ankle injury before the tournament, Rybakina’s performance demonstrates her resilience and establishes her as the dominant force in the sport.

What to watch

With Rybakina now at the top of the rankings, all eyes will be on how she performs in the upcoming season and whether she can maintain her position. Sabalenka, despite the loss, remains a formidable player and will likely seek to reclaim her top spot. The match also showcased the evolving dynamics at the top of women’s tennis, with Rybakina’s precise game neutralizing Sabalenka’s powerful style.

Sources

• skysports.com — Rybakina's victory and her rise to world No. 1
• cbssports.com — Match details and Rybakina's comments
• HITC — Fan reactions and match analysis