Rybakina beats Sabalenka to win US Open title

Elena Rybakina won her first US Open title on Saturday, beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium to complete her rise to world No 1.

The ranking switch had already been confirmed before a ball was struck. Rybakina's results through the season, starting with her win over Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, meant she was set to top the WTA list from Monday regardless of the outcome in New York. Saturday's win added the Grand Slam trophy to go with it, and ended Sabalenka's 99-week spell at No 1.

Sabalenka had been chasing a third straight US Open title, which would have made her the first woman to complete the "three-peat" in New York since Serena Williams in 2014. She got no further than the final. Rybakina took the first set 6-4, dropped the second 5-7, then closed it out 6-2.

Before the match, Sabalenka had already spoken about losing top spot to Rybakina.

"I really understand about how tough it is to reach the world No 1," said Sabalenka. "It's a lot of work and, yeah, that was one of my goals, but right now there was not much I could do. I didn't really perform well in the middle of the season. Elena took it over and played really well. But I can only focus on myself and just stay in the moment and trying to do my best right now just so I keep it tight — and maybe I will take it back from her."

That last hope now comes with a Grand Slam final defeat attached to it.