{"id":889959,"date":"2026-09-13T01:28:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T01:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/889959\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T01:28:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T01:28:20","slug":"elena-rybakina-beats-aryna-sabalenka-6-4-5-7-6-2-in-us-open-womens-singles-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/889959\/","title":{"rendered":"Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in US Open women’s singles final"},"content":{"rendered":"

Elena Rybakina has won her first US Open title, ending Aryna Sabalenka’s hopes of a hat-trick of wins at Flushing Meadows in New York.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rybakina controlled the first set, then was put in danger in the second, defending two set points before losing a third to allow Sabalenka back into the match.<\/p>\n

However, the Kazakh player held her nerve, taking an early break in the third set and holding on for her third major title win, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.<\/p>\n

The win marked a second major triumph for Rybakina this year, after her Australian Open final victory over Sabalenka in January.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka’s loss ended her hopes of winning a third US Open crown in a row, emulating tennis great Serena Williams, who was undefeated between 2012 and 2014.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka was increasingly frustrated through the match, smashing a couple of racquets as she struggled to find a way past her opponent.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Aryna Sabalenka’s inability to crack Elena Rybakina left her frustrated at the US Open final. (Getty Images: Sarah Stier)<\/p>\n

Rybakina stopped Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak at the US Open, where she had not lost since falling to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final.<\/p>\n

The WTA Tour leader in aces got less than half of her first serves in but instead put Sabalenka under constant pressure with a strong return game, racking up 12 break chances and converting three, which was all she needed.<\/p>\n

Rybakina earned $US5.5 million ($7.67 million), the largest prize in grand slam history, and tied Sabalenka and French Open winner Mirra Andreeva with a tour-high three titles this season.<\/p>\n

Sabalenka took home $US2.8 million ($3.9 million) but it was clear how little that meant to her, as she smashed her racquet after a brief hug with Rybakina at the net.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A devastated Sabalenka found it hard to talk at the trophy presentation.<\/p>\n

“That’s the last thing I want to do now is giving a speech,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Obviously, I’m disappointed but I want to say congratulations Elena, it’s a great win.<\/p>\n

“I wish I could perform a little better, but maybe next year,” she said as tears fell.<\/p>\n

Rybakina was overjoyed and a little overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

“It’s tough to find words right now,” she told the crowd.<\/p>\n

“I didn’t expect anything like this coming to this tournament. I’ve been dealing with an injury but somehow everything aligned together on my side.<\/p>\n

“I want to say to Aryna, you are a great champion. It’s so difficult to play you. I was diving around on court trying to get balls [back].”<\/p>\n

Rybakina also thanked the crowd for their support, adding: “I’m falling in love with New York more and more.”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

It was celebration time for Elena Rybakina at the US Open after she won her second major title of 2026. (Getty Images: Julian Finney)<\/p>\n

The second seed drew first blood to go ahead 3-2 following a Sabalenka double \u2060fault, with the frustrated Belarusian earning a code \u200cviolation immediately afterwards for launching \u200ca ball high into the stands of the main showcourt.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

However, Rybakina’s quality \u200cshone through as she took a commanding 5-2 lead and then \u200bclosed out a famous triumph to leave her Belarusian rival without any major silverware in 2026.<\/p>\n

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