Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to seal dramatic US Open title triumph
Rybakina wins 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 despite first-serve problems
TL;DR
- Elena Rybakina is the new undisputed best tennis player on the planet and the new standard-bearer of women's tennis.
- Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open final to win the title.
- She also took the No 1 ranking from Sabalenka.
- Rybakina overcame an Achilles injury and the pressure of clinching the world No 1 ranking.
- She has now won the Australian Open, US Open, and WTA Finals, the three biggest hard-court titles.
- Rybakina is now one French Open away from completing the career Grand Slam.
- This was the second time in the history of the Australian Open and US Open being played on hard courts that the same two rivals competed in both finals.
- Rybakina's shotmaking was exceptional, even when her first serve was misfiring.
- Sabalenka struggled with nerves and pressure throughout the match.
- Rybakina showed resilience in the final set, displaying her best tennis when it mattered most.