The match was the 18th meeting between the two players and Rybakina’s eighth win. The final unfolded similarly to their encounter at the Australian Open: Rybakina claimed the first set, Sabalenka responded in the second, and the Kazakh player secured the decisive third.
Both players are regarded as the strongest servers in women’s tennis, and few breaks were expected. Rybakina’s serve proved particularly effective.
In the opening set, she held all her service games despite landing only 27 percent of first serves. Sabalenka struggled to capitalize on Rybakina’s second serve, and the fifth game—where Rybakina earned the only break—decided the set.
The second set remained even until 5–5. Sabalenka then moved ahead 6–5, and Rybakina, serving to force a tie-break, faltered for the first time.
Rybakina responded decisively in the final set. Her serve was nearly flawless, and she dropped only one point in her first three service games. She broke Sabalenka twice and led 5–2. Serving for the match, she committed two double faults but converted her second match point with her 12th ace.
“I’m at a loss for words right now. It’s been an incredible tournament. I didn’t expect anything like this. Just before it started, I was battling an injury, and suddenly everything started going my way,” said Rybakina, who received the trophy from former Russian player Maria Sharapova. She earned $5.5 million for the title.
Nine days before the US Open, Rybakina withdrew from her Cincinnati quarterfinal against Iga Świątek due to Achilles tendon problems.
“I wanted to play better, and I hope I’ll succeed next year,” Sabalenka said, holding back tears.
The Belarusian appeared in the US Open final for the fourth straight year. She lost to Coco Gauff in 2023 but won the two previous editions.
Rybakina had already secured the world number one ranking ahead of the final. Saturday’s victory marked her tenth win over a reigning WTA world number one—six against Sabalenka and four against Świątek.
Final result:
Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan, 2) def. Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus, 1) 6–4, 5–7, 6–2.
(pu)
Source: PAP