Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday in Queens to win her first U.S. Open title. The victory gave Rybakina the No. 1 ranking and ended Sabalenka’s two-year reign at the tournament.
Rybakina had already clinched the top spot in the rankings next week. The U.S. Open trophy had belonged to Sabalenka for the past two years.
It was Rybakina’s third Grand Slam title and second this season against Sabalenka on a hard court. Rybakina beat Sabalenka for the Australian Open title to open the year.
Rybakina stopped Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak at the U.S. Open. Sabalenka had not lost at the tournament since falling to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final.
Rybakina earned $5.5 million, the largest prize in Grand Slam history. She tied Sabalenka and French Open winner Mirra Andreeva with a tour-high three titles this season.
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