Combining a ice-cool demeanor with devastating on-court performances, Elena Rybakina claimed the final Grand Slam of the year by conquering the US Open.

In a thrilling final, the Kazakh star defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to lift her third career Grand Slam trophy, simultaneously capturing the world number one ranking.

With this victory at Flushing Meadows, New York, the 27-year-old born-in-Russia Rybakina ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at the US Open.

Consequently, Sabalenka's dream of winning three consecutive US Open titles—a feat matching Serena Williams and Chris Evert—remained unfulfilled.

Rybakina had been struggling with an ankle injury just before the tournament began.

However, brushing aside all injuries and anxieties, she displayed indomitable mental resilience.

Following her Wimbledon triumph in 2022, she added the Australian Open and now the US Open to her collection this year.

Alongside Sabalenka and Angelique Kerber, she also joined the record books for winning two hard-court majors in the same calendar year this century.

Earlier in the season, Rybakina defeated the Belarusian star in the Australian Open final as well.

Expressing her emotions after the unexpected and historic success, Rybakina said, "I can't find the words to express my excitement.

Before the tournament started, I didn't expect anything like this. I was quite worried due to the injury, but in the end, everything fell into place.

Aryna [Sabalenka], battling against you is always extremely tough. You always force me to bring out my absolute best."