Jelena Rybakina wins the US Open for the first time and takes over the top of the world rankings

Jelena Rybakina won the US Open for the first time. The Kazakh defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6:4, 5:7, 6:2 in the final of the world's best tennis players. The 27-year-old has now replaced her opponent after 99 weeks at the top of the world rankings.

Rybakina, who completed her third Grand Slam success after Wimbledon 2022 and this year's Australian Open, can also look forward to record prize money of 5.5 million dollars (around 4.7 million euros).

"It's difficult to find words," said the 27-year-old, overwhelmed. »I've been coming here for the past ten years and have never been successful, not even close. “It’s just unbelievable.”

In front of numerous celebrities - including actor Brad Pitt, singer Pink and entrepreneur Paris Hilton - the previous world number one Sabalenka made too many unnecessary mistakes. She missed her hoped-for third US Open title in a row. The support of Dutch speed skating star Jutta Leerdam and US influencer Jake Paul as they followed them in the stands didn't help either.

"I'm disappointed, of course, but I want to congratulate you on an incredible year," Sabalenka said tearfully to Rybakina.

For Rybakina it is the third Grand Slam title of her career

Rybakina had already won the final of the Australian Open at the beginning of the tennis season. For the usual stoic Kazakh, it is the third Grand Slam title of her career.

Her opponent Sabalenka had previously expected a “physically and mentally difficult match” at the US Open. And the two women actually relied on their proven power tennis right from the start.

Rybakina created the first two break chances, Sabalenka fended them off and celebrated with a loud “let’s go”. Overall, however, the Belarusian made too many inaccuracies. With a double fault, she gave up her serve for the first time to make it 2:3, hit the ball into the stands in frustration and received a warning.

Rybakina was also nervous at times. However, after 44 minutes, the Kazakh secured the first set despite only hitting 27 percent of her first serves. Sabalenka stomped grumpily into the dressing room with her tennis bag on her shoulder, Rybakina chatted longer with her coaching team.

Sabalenka often seemed frustrated

Sabalenka temporarily hid her head under a white towel during a break - the isolation in the noisy Arthur Ashe Stadium seemed to help. The Belarusian's shots became more precise, overall she now played more variably and made several successful stops. In the stands, superstars like Pitt also applauded enthusiastically when they scored spectacular points.

With the score at 5:4, Sabalenka lost two set points. A good quarter of an hour later she did better, winning the second round with a cracking backhand on the return.

But Rybakina was unimpressed and managed the early break. Sabalenka started complaining again when her opponent won points and was busy with herself. Both players appeared to be slightly physically weakened, Rybakina continued to pull away and completed the triumph with an ace.