Elena Rybakina ends Aryna Sabalenka's bid for third straight US Open title

Elena Rybakina moved one step closer to completing a career Grand Slam Saturday, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win her first U.S.

Open title.

Rybakina had already been guaranteed to replace Sabalenka at No.

1 in the women's tennis world rankings next week, but she did more than inherit the top spot.

She claimed the title Sabalenka had won the previous two years, making the changing of the guard official.

Rybakina was still processing the special moment afterward.

"It’s tough to find words right now, honestly," Rybakina said.

"I don’t expect nothing like this coming to this tournament.

I’ve been dealing with a little bit with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side." THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.

DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW! Rybakina won the Australian Open title earlier this year after defeating Sabalenka on another hard court, this time at Melbourne Park.

Sabalenka entered Saturday’s final with a 19-match winning streak at the U.S.

Open, where she had not lost since falling to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final.

Sabalenka was trying to become the first person since Serena Williams from 2012-14 to win three in a row at Flushing Meadows.

"I really felt like home here and cannot wait to come back next year," Sabalenka said.