Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has been dethroned at the US Open, with Elena Rybakina capturing her first title at Flushing Meadows and strengthening her claim as the leading player in women’s tennis.

Rybakina defeated the two-time defending champion 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the women’s singles final, adding the US Open crown to her Grand Slam achievements.

The victory capped an impressive tournament for the Kazakhstani, who entered the event following an Achilles injury and also secured the world number-one ranking during her run in New York.

Rybakina overcame four consecutive Grand Slam or Olympic champions during the second week of the tournament before defeating Sabalenka in the final.