The win gave the Kazakh her third Grand Slam title, after Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year, and confirmed her rise to world No. 1. She also collected the record $5.5 million champion’s cheque.
Rybakina took the opening set 6-4. Sabalenka fought back to win the second 7-5 after saving set points and levelling at 5-5, as captured in live updates from Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Belarusian could not sustain that momentum. Rybakina broke in the third game of the decider, moved 3-1 ahead and broke again for 6-2.
The match lasted two hours and 21 minutes. Rybakina hit 12 aces to Sabalenka’s six and ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka had not lost at the US Open since the 2023 final against Coco Gauff and was chasing a third successive New York title, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
Rybakina had arrived under a cloud after an ankle problem before the tournament. She still beat the world No. 1 for a second major final this year, repeating the Australian Open result.
“It’s tough to find words … I didn’t expect anything like this coming into the tournament,” Rybakina said.
Sabalenka said: “I really felt like home here and cannot wait to come back next year. I wish I could perform a little bit better but I guess next year.”
Rybakina now needs only Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam. The men’s final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton is scheduled for Sunday.