By Shrivathsa Sridhar
NEW YORK, Sept 12 (Reuters) – Elena Rybakina delivered a devastating performance to dethrone two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 win in the U.S. Open final on Saturday, earning a third Grand Slam crown to accompany her ascent to world number one.
The Russian-born Kazakh’s icy composure on the grand stage helped her snap Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows and denied the Belarusian the chance to emulate Serena Williams and Chris Evert with three straight New York titles.
An ankle injury had threatened to derail Rybakina’s campaign even before the tournament started, but the 27-year-old shrugged off those concerns to add the U.S. Open title to her Australian Open triumph this year and Wimbledon success in 2022.
“It’s tough to find words right now. I didn’t expect anything like this coming to the tournament,” said a beaming Rybakina, who became only the third woman this century to win both hardcourt major trophies in the same year after Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber.
“I’ve been dealing a bit with an injury. Somehow everything aligned together on my side. Aryna … it’s so difficult to play against you. You push me to the limit.
“I want to say thank you to the beautiful spectators for such a beautiful atmosphere. I’ve been coming here for the last 10 years and was never successful … I’m falling in love with New York more and more.”
ALL INGREDIENTS FOR ANOTHER CLASSIC
Saturday’s title showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium had all the ingredients of a classic between the top two in the rankings and though Sabalenka brought late aggression, Rybakina was typically unruffled and prevailed to pocket the $5.5 million prize.
Dressed in a yellow-and-black outfit that evoked a bee, Rybakina produced some stinging groundstrokes but was unable to make the early pressure count as Sabalenka unleashed big serves to hold firm in the pair’s third Grand Slam final meeting.
The second seed drew first blood to go ahead 3-2 following a Sabalenka double fault, with the frustrated Belarusian earning a code violation immediately afterwards for launching a ball high into the stands of the main showcourt.
Sabalenka’s irritation became increasingly evident with each missed shot and squandered opportunity, in stark contrast to the trademark calm etched on Rybakina’s face as the Kazakh tightened her grip on the opening set and clinched it with a tight hold.
A sudden drop-off in Rybakina’s level midway through the second set gave the 28-year-old Sabalenka hope, and she produced a delicate drop shot and a stunning backhand crosscourt winner en route to forcing a deciding set.
Sabalenka let out a huge roar after another backhand winner to hold in a tight opening game of the third set.
RYBAKINA’S QUALITY SHINES THROUGH
However, Rybakina’s quality shone through her red-and-blue-framed racket as she took a commanding 5-2 lead and then closed out a famous triumph to leave her Belarusian rival without any major silverware in 2026.
The typically mild-mannered Rybakina’s celebration had little more pizzazz than one might expect from a routine match victory, and she calmly packed her belongings at her bench as Sabalenka sat with her demolished racket.
“It’s the last thing I want to do right now – give a speech. But I’ll try my very best,” said a teary Sabalenka, who lost to Rybakina in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
“Thank you everyone. Thank you for the support for the two weeks … obviously I’m disappointed but I want to congratulate Elena. I really felt like home here and I cannot wait to come back next year.
“I wish I could perform a bit better but I guess next year.”
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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