Rybakina defeats Shabalenka to win the US Open women's singles championship and will ascend to the throne behind the ball
Quick Look
- Kazakh player Rybakina defeated Shabalenka of Belarus 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the US Open women's singles final, winning her first US Open championship and third Grand Slam trophy in her career.
- She will replace her opponent as the new WTA World Queen on September 14.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Rybakina is a Russian-born tennis player who later moved to Kazakhstan. She won the 2022 Wimbledon Championship. This US Open victory is the third Grand Slam championship in her career. Shabalenka is the defending US Open champion and world queen. The two met in the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year.
Rybakina. (AP)
[Reporter Liang Weiming/Comprehensive Report] After three fierce battles, Elena Rybakina defeated the Belarusian world tennis queen Aryna Sabalenka 6:4, 5:7, 6:2. The Kazakh second seed entered the US Open women's singles final for the first time in her career and won the championship. She, who will be crowned the queen of tennis on Monday, celebrated.
The calm and composed Rybakina and the top-seeded defending champion Shabalenka each passed the test in Flushing, New York, and finally met at the Arthur Ashe Center Court, repeating the decisive battle of the Australian Open earlier this year. Rybakina, who is good at serving, had a hot touch and hit 12 aces. She broke serve first in the fifth game to win the set. However, Shabalenka made a strong counterattack in the second game and broke through in the 12th game at the end of the set to regain the victory.
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The 27-year-old Rybakina put out the fire in the final set. She seized the opportunity to break again in the third game, trying to maintain the lead. Finally, she issued a bye ACE. She fought hard for 2 hours and 21 minutes to seal the victory. She enjoyed the exclusive championship bonus of US$5.5 million (approximately NT$175 million) and improved the match against Sabalenka to 8 wins and 10 losses.
Rybakina, a native of Kazakhstan from Russia, has won her third Grand Slam title since the Wimbledon Championships in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026. She is currently ranked second in the WTA world women's singles ranking, and this time she entered the US Open for the first time. The top four have determined to surpass Shabalenka and will take over the first ball on September 14. Now she continues to work hard to attack the top, shattering the dream of a strong enemy for three consecutive championships, and winning the second hard court Grand Slam title in Melbourne Park this year.
As for Shabalenka, who lost her post-match title and failed to defend her US Open title, she was so angry that she went back to her seat and smashed her racket after the game. She even cried and her eyes were red. She wished Rybakina double happiness and can only look forward to a comeback next year.
Rybakina (from right) and Shabalenka. (Reuters)
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Rybakina will replace Shabalenka as the new WTA World Queen on September 14
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Can Rybakina maintain her performance as the world’s queen of football in future competitions?
- How Shabalenka will adjust to return to her throne behind the ball
