Elena Rybakina’s U.S. Open title run puts her on top of women’s tennis, leaving Sabalenka work to do

Elena Rybakina’s U.S. Open title run puts her on top of women’s tennis, leaving Sabalenka work to do BRIAN MAHONEY NEW YORK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO Open this photo in gallery: Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, holds up her trophy after winning the women's singles final at the U.S. Open over Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus on Saturday in New York. ADAM HUNGER/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. Elena Rybakina was going to see her name on top of the women’s tennis rankings Monday no matter what happened in the U.S. Open final. Still, it wouldn’t have felt quite the same to pass Aryna Sabalenka and become No. 1 in a tournament where Sabalenka then beat Rybakina to defend her title. It would not only have been confusing to casual fans, but a letdown to the player. Nothing to worry about there. Rybakina was too good for Sabalenka and anyone else in the sport right now, so her 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory Sunday triggered a dual celebration. “I feel that it’s going to be amazing to wake up knowing that you achieved such big things,” Rybakina said. There could be more to come. The 27-year-old who was born in Russia but represents Kazakhstan is on top of her game, with two Grand Slam titles in 2026. She beat Sabalenka in both finals, and even the former No. 1 concedes it would be tough to get back to the top if Rybakina stays at the level she displayed in Flushing Meadows. “She continues to play like that, then yeah, I’m in trouble,” Sabalenka said. The 28-year-old from Belarus had won the previous two U.S. Open titles, appeared in three straight finals and reached at least the semi-finals every year since 2021. Rybakina, meanwhile, had never even gotten past the fourth round before this year. “For some reason, New York wasn’t my best place for tennis for the past years,” Rybakina said, “but definitely now it changed.” So much has at the top of women’s tennis. Open this photo in gallery: Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, left, holds the trophy after winning the women's singles final at the U.S. Open over Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus on Saturday in New York. KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS It began toward the end of 2025, when Rybakina beat Sabalenka for the title at the season-ending WTA finals. Then it was the same result at the Australian Open final, and Rybakina has gone on to match Sabalenka and French Open winner…