Elena Rybakina claimed victory in the U.S. Open, securing her first title in a thrilling match against Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in New York on Saturday. This win marked Rybakina’s ascent to the summit of women’s tennis, displacing Sabalenka from the top spot in the rankings. Not only did Rybakina secure the coveted title, but she also dethroned Sabalenka, who had held the U.S. Open title for the past two years.
This triumph at the U.S. Open marked Rybakina’s third Grand Slam victory and her second this year, both on hard courts against Sabalenka. The season began with Rybakina besting Sabalenka for the Australian Open title. Rybakina’s impressive performance brought an end to Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak at the U.S. Open, where the latter had remained undefeated since her defeat to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final.
For her remarkable feat, Rybakina received a prize of $5.5 million USD, setting a new record for the largest prize money in Grand Slam history. Furthermore, Rybakina’s achievement tied her with Sabalenka and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, each boasting a tour-leading tally of three titles for the season.
