Elena Rybakina delivered a powerful performance to dethrone two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open women’s singles. Rybakina recorded a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 win to secure her third Grand Slam title, along with moving atop the world rankings. With her win, she also put an end to Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows on Saturday and denied the Belarusian the chance of levelling Serena Williams and Chris Evert with three straight New York titles.
Rybakina overcame an ankle injury she sustained even before the start of her campaign at the tournament. However, she looked past the concerns to add the another trophy in her cabinet which was already studded with Australian Open triumph and Wimbledon success in 2022. The 27-year-old won the lustrous trophy alongside the cash prize of $5.5 million.
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Falling in love with New York more and more: Elena Rybakina following US Open Win
After winning her third major, Rybakina said that she has started to enjoy coming to New York. “I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I’m falling in love with New York more and more.” Speaking about her rival, she said, “Aryna, you are a great champion and it’s so difficult to play against you. You push to such limits, I was diving on the court and just trying to get all of the possible balls.”
On the other hand, an emotional Sabalenka, who smashed her racket after losing the women ‘s singles finals said, “I just wanted to let all of that aggression and disappointment go outside (on the court).” “It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of a Grand Slam and when you were trying to go for (a) three-peat, so I just wanted to let it go,” she added. Congratulating her opponent, she said, “Well deserved, enjoy, have fun tonight and until the end of the season so I can win some titles, thank you.”
