Rising female tennis star Rybakina wins US Open, defeats 2-time defending champ Sabalenka

Rising Kazakhstani female tennis star Elena Rybakina on Saturday won her first U.S. Open, over two-time defending champion and No. 1 ranked Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus.

Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. She had been guaranteed to replace Sabalenka in the rankings next week even before the match started, according to the Associated Press. 

Rybakina's win Saturday marks her third Grand Slam title and the second this year – each against Sabalenka. She reportedly earned $5.5 million for the win, the largest prize in Grand Slam history,