Elena Rybakina captured the US Open title on Tuesday, securing the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career with a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows in New York.

The Kazakhstan-aligned player, originally from Russia, secured her second Grand Slam of the year, adding the US Open to her Australian Open triumph earlier in 2024. With the victory, Rybakina also earned a $7.7 million prize and replaced Sabalenka, who had held the top spot for 99 weeks.

“I’m still processing everything. It’s a lot — so many achievements,” Rybakina said after the match. The 27-year-old acknowledged the importance of her support team and expressed her ambition to continue performing at the highest level. “There’s still so much work to do. The job’s never done,” she stated.

The match was marked by contrasting styles and emotional displays. Sabalenka, the two-time defending US Open champion, struggled under pressure, visibly frustrated and noticeably erratic in her play during crucial moments. She frequently urged herself to “fight,” but her momentum faltered, leading to a series of unforced errors and an eventual breakdown in composure, including the destruction of a racquet after match point.

Sabalenka acknowledged the difficulty of controlling her emotions after the defeat, saying, “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 threepeat.” Despite the frustration, Sabalenka credited Rybakina’s strong serving, even though statistical analysis showed Rybakina’s first-serve percentage was below par—29 percent in the first set and 48 percent overall—a factor Sabalenka was unable to fully exploit.

Rybakina’s resilience and powerful groundstrokes impressed throughout the contest, as she navigated late match challenges to close out the win, showcasing a blend of composure and strength. Observers noted the polarizing but effective dynamic between Rybakina and her coach, Stefano Vukov, who also reportedly has a personal relationship with the player. Vukov had previously faced sanctions from the WTA for alleged abusive behavior but was reinstated after Rybakina renewed their professional association prior to the US Open.

Sabalenka was seen visibly distraught during the trophy presentation, reflecting the disappointment of missing the chance to secure a rare third consecutive US Open title. Despite the setback, she affirmed her commitment to improving her game going forward. “I need to keep working,” she said. “I need to improve.”

The rivalry between Rybakina and Sabalenka remains a compelling storyline in women’s tennis. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 10-8 but recognized the elevated challenge posed by the new No. 1. “If she continues playing like that, I’m in trouble. I need to be better,” she commented.

As Rybakina embraces her position atop the sport, the coming months will test whether she can maintain her momentum amid rising expectations and stiffer competition.