Sabalenka says US Open disappointment will fuel push to improve in 2027

Aryna Sabalenka said the disappointment of missing a third consecutive US Open title was difficult to contain after her defeat in Saturday's final. In comments reported by BBC Sport, she explained that releasing her frustration helped her speak afterwards about the loss.

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Elena Rybakina won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to claim her first US Open championship and third major title, according to the Associated Press. Rybakina had already secured the ranking points needed to become world number one the following week. The victory also completed a hard-court major double after her Australian Open final win over Sabalenka earlier this year.

Sabalenka smashed a racquet after the match before later praising Rybakina's performance. The BBC reported that the defeat ended her 20-match winning run at Flushing Meadows and left her without a Grand Slam singles title in a calendar year for the first time since 2022.

Her season nevertheless includes WTA titles in Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami. At the majors, she lost to Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarter-finals and Naomi Osaka in Wimbledon's fourth round. She has now won four of her nine Grand Slam singles finals, with all five defeats coming in three sets.

The outcome followed a strong semifinal showing against Jessica Pegula. Reuters, in a report carried by ABC News, recorded a 7-5, 6-2 victory in which Sabalenka struck 29 winners and seven aces. She overcame early frustration to take the opening set, then pulled clear as Pegula's errors increased in the second.

Rybakina had taken a longer route through her semifinal, recovering to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Reuters reported that Gauff broke back after falling 5-3 behind in the deciding set, but immediately lost serve again. Those two victories brought the Australian Open finalists together once more for the season's final major championship match.

Looking ahead, Sabalenka said the season's lessons would motivate her to improve next year, while acknowledging positives in her level during the tournament.