Elena Rybakina took Queens by storm, dethroning defending champion No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to lift her first US Open trophy on Saturday.
The calm and collected newly minted world No. 1 notched 12 aces in the win, including the serve that put the match out of reach for former No. 1 Sabalenka as the Belarusian fell short of her three-peat bid.
“I’m obviously not really happy with the level I played today, but she served incredible,” said Sabalenka. “She played really aggressive, great tennis.”
Rybakina is closing in on a career slam, eying an elusive French Open title after wins at the 2026 Australian Open and 2022 Wimbledon.
The 27-year-old earned Kazakhstan’s first-ever No. 1 ranking, dropping just three sets in Flushing Meadows despite a lingering ankle injury.
“It’s tough to find words right now, honestly,” she said postmatch. “I didn’t expect nothing like this coming to this tournament.”
