The win serves as a definitive statement for the 27-year-old, who was already confirmed to ascend to the world No. 1 ranking in the upcoming week. By defeating the player she is set to replace at the top of the standings, Rybakina secured her third career
A Tactical Triumph in New York
Despite struggling with her first-serve percentage, Rybakina maintained relentless pressure on her opponent throughout the match. She created 12 break point opportunities, successfully converting three of them to dictate the tempo of the contest. Her ability to absorb Sabalenka’s aggressive, high-power baseline game proved to be the decisive factor in a match that lasted three sets.
Reflecting on the achievement, Rybakina admitted the victory was unexpected given her recent physical challenges. She noted that despite dealing with an injury leading into the event, her game came together at the right moment. The victory earned her a record-breaking $5.5 million prize, the largest in Grand Slam history, and moved her closer to a career Grand Slam, with only the French Open title now missing from her collection.
End of a Reign for Sabalenka
For Sabalenka, the loss marked the end of a dominant run at the US Open, where she had been undefeated since 2023. The Belarusian, who had held the world No. 1 ranking for 99 consecutive weeks, was visibly frustrated following the defeat, smashing her racket after the final point. Her bid to become the first player since Serena Williams to win three consecutive titles at the venue fell short.
The match was only the third time since 2000 that the top two seeds had met in the US Open women's final. While Sabalenka expressed her disappointment and a desire to perform better in future appearances, the day belonged to Rybakina. The newly crowned champion, who represents Kazakhstan, continues to be noted for her composed demeanor on court, a trait that has consistently frustrated opponents throughout her rise to the top of the sport.
