09/12/26 06:04:00
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09/12 18:02 CDT Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to win the US Open title
and punctuate her rise to No. 1
Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to win the US Open title and punctuate her
rise to No. 1
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Elena Rybakina won her first U.S. Open title and punctuated
her climb to the top of women's tennis by beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
on Saturday.
Rybakina had already been guaranteed to replace Sabalenka at No. 1 in the
rankings next week and for good measure took the U.S. Open title that Sabalenka
had won the previous two years.
"It's tough to find words right now, honestly," Rybakina said. "I don't expect
nothing like this coming to this tournament. I've been dealing with a little
bit with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side."
It was the third Grand Slam title for Rybakina and the second this year ---
both against Sabalenka on hard courts. She opened the season by beating
Sabalenka for the Australian Open title.
This time, she stopped Sabalenka's 19-match winning streak at the U.S. Open,
where she hadn't lost since falling to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final.
"I really felt like home here and cannot wait to come back next year,"
Sabalenka said. "I wish I could perform a little bit better but I guess next
year."
Rybakina earned $5.5 million, the largest prize in Grand Slam history, and tied
Sabalenka and French Open winner Mirra Andreeva with a tour-high three titles
this season.
Sabalenka took home $2.8 million but it was clear how little that meant to her,
as she smashed her racket after a brief hug with Rybakina at the net.
Sabalenka was trying to become the first person since Serena Williams from
2012-14 to win three in a row at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina dethroned the champ without even having her best stuff. The WTA Tour
leader in aces got less than half of her first serves in but instead put
Sabalenka under constant pressure with a strong return game, racking up 12
break chances and converting three, which was all she needed.
The third meeting of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in a U.S. Open women's final since 2000
was the first to go the way of the challenger. Williams was the top seed for
the other two, beating her sister Venus in 2002 and Victoria Azarenka in 2013.
The numbers didn't signify much this time, because they are going to flip
Monday. Sabalenka has held the top spot for 99 consecutive weeks, but Rybakina
gained enough points to unseat her simply by reaching the semifinals.
She didn't stop there.
The 27-year-old who was born in Russia but represents Kazakhstan won her first
major title at Wimbledon in 2022 and now needs just the French Open to complete
the career Grand Slam.
And it's clear her power --- and her ability to absorb her opponent's --- was
something that unnerved Sabalenka.
A native of Belarus, Sabalenka sometimes swings from her heels, like a golfer
trying to unleash a 300-yard drive, grunting "Aaaaahhhh!" as she takes her
mighty cuts.
Rybakina's power comes more easily. There is little sound coming from her side
of the net besides the squeaking of her sneakers, and she rarely shows any hint
of stress.
"I think Elena is probably --- not nonchalant, I don't want to say that,
because she's not nonchalant --- but just no reaction ever," Gauff said after
losing to Rybakina in the semifinals.
Rybakina did show some frustration after pulling a backhand wide with a break
point in the opening game of the third set, but soon she had taken charge of
the match for good.
___
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