NEW YORK — Elena Rybakina capped a remarkable Grand Slam season by conquering the US Open, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, in a dramatic final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The victory gave Rybakina her first US Open championship and third major title, following her Wimbledon triumph in 2022 and Australian Open victory earlier this year.
It also completed her rise to the top of the women’s rankings. Rybakina was already assured of becoming world No. 1 after reaching the final, replacing Sabalenka at the summit.
The Kazakh star had entered the tournament with concerns over an ankle injury but showed no signs of being hampered as she controlled the decisive third set.
Sabalenka fought back after dropping the opening set, leveling the match at one set apiece. But Rybakina quickly regained her composure in the decider, building a 5-2 advantage before closing out the biggest victory of her career in New York.
Sabalenka’s defeat ended her bid to become only the third woman in the Open Era to win three straight US Open titles, joining an elite group that includes Chris Evert and Serena Williams.
Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala’s campaign ended in the third round, with the Filipina No. 17 seed falling to American teenager Iva Jovic in a hard-fought three-set encounter.
Eala’s run nevertheless marked another significant milestone in her breakthrough season, as she became the highest-seeded Filipina in a Grand Slam singles draw.
For Rybakina, the New York triumph capped a season that has firmly established her as the new force at the top of women’s tennis.
Sourced online/elamigo/xf
