Rybakina Beats Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 for First US Open Title
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 12
Rybakina Beats Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 for First US Open Title
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 12
Summary
Elena Rybakina claimed her first US Open crown with a three-set win over two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, sealing her third Grand Slam title and capping her rise to world No. 1.
6-4 5-7 6-2 reflected a final in which Rybakina's deep returning and composure outlasted Sabalenka's erratic stretches, especially after the Belarusian forced a decider by attacking second serves late in set two.
The 27-year-old arrived in New York unsure she could even play after an ankle injury in Cincinnati left her unable to walk for several days, then recovered to navigate comeback wins over Zheng Qinwen, Coco Gauff and finally Sabalenka.
The victory leaves Rybakina one French Open title short of a career Grand Slam, after adding the US Open to Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.