ESPN ripped by fans over bizarre US Open graphic celebrating Elena Rybakina's historic win

ESPN posted a bizarre graphic celebrating Elena Rybakina's historic win in the women's singles at the US Open.

The Kazakhstani star beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in Saturday's final to capture the prize after an impressive season.

The feat was celebrated in a graphic posted by ESPN captioned:  'Elena Rybakina wins her third career Major title, her first at the US Open.'

But fans were distracted by the placement of a tennis ball, part of the second photo of her hitting a forehand and overlaying an image of her celebrating with a fist pump.

The ball fell in an awkward spot on the right side of her chest at nipple height, leading to a number of comments questioning why they did not simply remove the ball.

'Why would they put the tennis ball there,' wrote one post, which generated over 1,200 likes.

Another questioned: 'Could they not move the tennis ball…' while one user replied: 'Nice placement of the tennis ball. I see what you did there espn.' 

World No. 1 Rybakina produced a clinical performance to dismantle Sabalenka and capture her maiden US Open title.

Rybakina, who was appearing in her first final at Flushing Meadows, relied on her serve and lethal groundstrokes to overcome the reigning champion on Saturday.

The Kazakh star thwarted Sabalenka's bid for back-to-back crowns in New York, keeping her cool in the crucial moments to secure the third Grand Slam of her career.

After the match, she said: 'It feels amazing. It's still so difficult to process what happened. Too much achievements these few weeks. I'm super happy, very proud of all the work. Yeah, it's just amazing. Difficult to find words, but super happy.

'I feel like the match was so close. Even first set I got early break. Then it was kind of a little bit easier to step in, to be aggressive.

'Then in the second we were going both, like, each game. We were taking our serve. I feel like she just played in these same important moments more aggressive. Yeah, she just went for the shots.

'I had some little opportunities. Made couple of mistakes. But then in the third set, I told myself that I can still do it. I need to focus on my serve and just risk a little bit more when I have the chance.'