Marion Bartoli has praise for ‘absolutely extraordinary’ Elena Rybakina after her win vs Aryna Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina is the new champion of the US Open after a thrilling final victory over Aryna Sabalenka.

Shortly after overtaking the Belarusian as WTA number one, Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to clinch the title.

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The Kazakhstani star is now a three-time Grand Slam champion after beating Sabalenka, having won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.

Rybakina has now drawn huge praise from another former Wimbledon winner, with Marion Bartoli having been left really impressed by the new US Open champion.

Marion Bartoli praises 'absolutely extraordinary' US Open champion Elena Rybakina

As quoted by Sky Sports Tennis, Bartoli said: "Can you imagine that her previous best result here was the fourth round?

"That's extraordinary, to come here with all the pressure of the world, knowing she had the No. 1 world ranking on her racket, to actually go on and win the title.

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"The way she bounced back at the beginning of the third set tonight for me, was absolutely extraordinary.

"It looked like she completely forgot what happened at the back end of that second set, when she got caught on her own service game.

"She just kept on moving on, and moving forward all the time. The way she attacked Sabalenka's serve all the time, putting her under so much pressure.

"The ball-striking from that young lady is just something else. She can do anything on the tennis court. She's only missing Roland Garros now from completing a career Grand Slam."

Elena Rybakina's Grand Slam finals

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Elena Rybakina makes tennis history with US Open triumph

It was a stunning run from Rybakina at the US Open, and one which has helped her achieve tennis history.

In the Open Era, she has become the first champion of the event to win three-set matches in the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

Such efforts show just how physically and mentally strong she really is, with the 27-year-old clearly one of the fittest WTA players out there right now.

But a period of celebration and relaxation will now follow the tournament, with Rybakina more than deserving of some time away from the court.

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