Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, assured of supplanting Sabalenka atop the rankings by reaching the semi-finals in New York, won her third Grand Slam title to go with her 2022 Wimbledon crown and the Australian Open trophy she lifted this year with a win over Sabalenka.
She became just the second woman to beat a World No. 1 player in two Grand Slam finals in the same year.
The other was Steffi Graf in 1995.
Sabalenka, unbeaten in 20 prior matches at Flushing Meadows, clawed back courageously in the second set, breaking Rybakina for the first time in the final game to force the third.
But with her trademark aplomb, Rybakina roared back to finish off a frustrated Sabalenka, who smashed her racket while sitting in her chair as her opponent was applauded by the crowd.
Sabalenka, 28, will end 2026 without a major title since 2022. (AFP)
