Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will battle for US Open glory, with Sabalenka chasing a historic third straight title and Rybakina set to become the new WTA World No. 1 after reaching her first US Open final.
The US Open women’s singles final is set for a blockbuster showdown as two of the biggest stars in women’s tennis, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, prepare to battle for Grand Slam glory at Flushing Meadows.
The championship clash will be a rematch of the 2026 Australian Open final, adding another chapter to an increasingly compelling rivalry. While Sabalenka is aiming to become a three-time consecutive US Open champion, Rybakina will enter the final with an additional achievement already secured: she will become the new World No. 1 in the WTA Rankings on Monday.
The two top seeds have taken contrasting paths to the final but have arrived in New York in outstanding form. Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, produced another commanding performance in the semi-finals, defeating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2. The Belarusian once again demonstrated the powerful and aggressive tennis that has made her so difficult to beat on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
Sabalenka has dropped only one set during her six matches at this year’s tournament and enters the final riding a remarkable 20-match unbeaten streak at the US Open dating back to 2024. Her statistics underline her dominance. She has produced 170 winners, the highest total among the women competing in the tournament, while converting 25 break points, also the leading figure in the draw.
Her quarter-final against Linda Noskova provided one of the biggest tests of her campaign. Sabalenka survived a deciding-set super tie-break 10-7 before returning to her dominant best against Pegula in the semi-finals.
Rybakina’s route to the final has been more challenging. The Kazakh player entered the tournament with questions surrounding a left ankle injury suffered in Cincinnati, but she has overcome those concerns to produce one of the strongest runs of her career.
The former Wimbledon champion defeated two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka during her campaign and also recorded comeback victories over Qinwen Zheng and home favourite Coco Gauff. Against Gauff in the semi-finals, Rybakina recovered from losing the opening set 3-6 to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-4.
Despite facing a passionate home crowd, Rybakina remained composed during the decisive moments and repeatedly relied on her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game to overcome Gauff.
Her progress to the semi-finals also guaranteed a major ranking milestone. Rybakina needed to reach the last four to ensure she would overtake Sabalenka at the top of the WTA Rankings. Her rise will bring an end to Sabalenka’s 99-week reign as World No. 1.
The head-to-head record between the finalists gives Sabalenka an advantage, with the Belarusian leading 10-7 and having won their last two meetings. However, Rybakina has already secured the most significant victory between them this season.
In the Australian Open final, Rybakina staged a dramatic comeback after falling 3-0 behind in the deciding set to defeat Sabalenka and claim the Grand Slam title. That victory will give her confidence heading into another major final against the same opponent.
Rybakina has also been one of the tournament’s biggest weapons on serve. She has struck 42 aces in New York and recorded 143 winners, placing her among the leading performers in both categories.
The final therefore presents two historic opportunities. Sabalenka can complete a US Open hat-trick and strengthen her legacy at Flushing Meadows, while Rybakina can win her second major title of the season and begin her reign as World No. 1 with another Grand Slam triumph.
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With the world’s top two seeds meeting under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the US Open is guaranteed a fitting finale between two players determined to finish the tournament at the summit of women’s tennis.
