Elena Rybakina bests defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first U.S. Open
Elena Rybakina Bests Defending Champion Aryna Sabalenka at U.S. Open
Wertynews.com – Elena Rybakina bests defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first U.S. Open title, winning a hard-fought final 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday. The match lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes and stopped Sabalenka’s pursuit of a third consecutive championship in New York.
For Rybakina, the victory delivered a defining achievement on one of tennis’ largest stages. Sabalenka, meanwhile, fell short of joining the small group of players to win the women’s U.S. Open three years in a row.
A Three-Set Battle for the Title
Rybakina opened strongly and took the first set 6-4, but Sabalenka responded in the second. The Belarusian, a two-time defending champion, edged that set 7-5 to force a deciding third set.
The momentum shifted again in the final set. Rybakina stayed composed, took control of the rallies and finished with a 6-2 scoreline to secure the championship.
Sabalenka entered the final after reaching the U.S. Open championship match for the fourth straight year. She had also held the No. 1 spot in the WTA rankings for 99 consecutive weeks, but she struggled to find consistency against Rybakina.
Sabalenka’s Frustration Shows
Pressure was evident throughout the final as Sabalenka accumulated 35 unforced errors. She hit a ball into the stands and received a warning, shouted at herself, and struck a racket on the court. After the match, her disappointment continued when she destroyed another racket.
“I was just out there competing, trying to do my best with what I had. Not good enough.”
Sabalenka said she felt a need to release her frustration rather than keep it inside during such an important match.
“I just wanted to let all of that aggression and disappointment go outside (on the court). It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of the Grand Slam and when you were trying to go for (a) three-peat, so I just wanted to let it go.”
Her effort to become the first woman since 2022 to complete a U.S. Open three-peat ultimately ended in the deciding set, where Rybakina’s execution proved sharper.
A Major Breakthrough for Rybakina
The result shows why Grand Slam finals can turn so quickly. Sabalenka recovered after dropping the opening set and put herself back in the match, but Rybakina answered when the trophy was within reach.
Elena Rybakina bests defending champion Aryna Sabalenka with the calm and control needed to close a major final. Her victory changed the story of the tournament from another successful title defense to a breakthrough championship in New York.
Winning the U.S. Open means navigating two weeks of pressure and intense competition. Rybakina did that successfully against one of the game’s leading hard-court players, delivering her best tennis in the final set.
New York Crowd Backs Sabalenka
Despite the loss, Sabalenka said she felt greater crowd support than she had in previous U.S. Open finals. In 2023, when she faced American Coco Gauff in the final, the New York crowd strongly favored her opponent. This time, the atmosphere felt different.
“At some point I felt like, ‘Oh my God, I feel American.’ I just wish I could win it and feel the support even more. Not this year.”
Fans attempted to encourage Sabalenka as the match tightened, but their support could not overcome the mistakes that mounted across the three sets. After the trophy ceremony, she praised Rybakina while acknowledging her own disappointment.
“I wish I could perform a little bit better, but I guess next year. Obviously, not really happy with the level I played (at).”
U.S. Open Final FAQ
What was the score in the U.S. Open women’s final?
Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a final that lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes.
Was Aryna Sabalenka defending the U.S. Open title?
Yes. Sabalenka entered the final as the two-time defending U.S. Open champion and was seeking a third straight title.
Why was the result significant for Elena Rybakina?
The win gave Rybakina her first U.S. Open championship and ended Sabalenka’s attempt to make history with a third consecutive title.
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