ELENA Rybakina captured her maiden US Open crown, beating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium to claim her third Grand Slam title and ascend to the world No. 1 ranking.
The 27-year-old Kazakh overcame an ankle injury scare before the tournament and delivered a composed performance to deny Sabalenka a third consecutive US Open championship.
Rybakina added the New York title to her Wimbledon triumph in 2022 and Australian Open crown earlier this year.
After splitting the first two sets, Rybakina took control in the decider, breaking away to a 5-2 lead before calmly serving out the match.
Sabalenka, who had won the US Open in 2024 and 2025, struggled to contain her frustration as the defending champion’s bid for a historic three-peat faded.
Rybakina had already secured the No. 1 ranking by reaching the final, ending Sabalenka’s reign at the top of the women’s game.
Her victory capped a remarkable Grand Slam season in which she won two major titles and established herself as the dominant force in women’s tennis.
Filipina Tennis Ace
Meanwhile, Filipina tennis ace Alexandra Eala’s US Open campaign ended in the third round after the 21-year-old rising star was beaten by American teenager Iva Jovic in a grueling three-set battle.
Eala, who entered the tournament as the No. 17 seed, made history by becoming the highest-seeded Filipina in a Grand Slam singles draw before bowing out in the last 32.
For Rybakina, however, the victory in New York completed a remarkable rise to the top of women’s tennis and gave her a first US Open title in emphatic fashion. (Sourced online)
