Sabalenka and Rybakina set for blockbuster US Open final

The US Open women’s singles final promises a spectacular showdown on Saturday as reigning world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on her biggest rival, Elena Rybakina, with history on the line at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka, champion in the last two editions of the tournament, is bidding to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win the US Open three years in a row. Standing in her way is Rybakina, who is chasing a second Grand Slam title of the season and is set to take over the world No. 1 ranking.

Sabalenka vs Rybakina — 22:00 CET

Sabalenka Hunting a Third Straight US Open Title

Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the final by defeating home favourite Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in just 80 minutes.

It was the third consecutive year that Sabalenka has beaten Pegula at the US Open, while the victory also sent her into the final at Flushing Meadows for a remarkable fourth straight year.

The top seed has been particularly dominant throughout the tournament. With the exception of a deciding-set tiebreak against Linda Noskova, Sabalenka has won every match in straight sets.

Her latest victory extended her US Open winning streak to 19 matches and made her the first player in the Open Era to reach eight consecutive hard-court Grand Slam finals.

Sabalenka’s record on hard courts this season has been equally impressive. She has already captured titles in Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami, while also reaching the Australian Open final, where she lost to none other than Rybakina.

Rybakina Reaches Second Grand Slam Final of 2026

Elena Rybakina secured her place in the final with a remarkable comeback against former champion Coco Gauff.

After dropping the opening set, Rybakina rallied in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium to defeat the American 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

It was her second comeback victory over Gauff in less than a month, following another win against the American in Toronto.

Rybakina had previously struggled to make a deep run at the US Open, having never progressed beyond the fourth round before this year. She has now put that record firmly behind her after impressive victories over players including Naomi Osaka and Qinwen Zheng.

The Kazakh has enjoyed an outstanding season on hard courts. Alongside winning her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, she has reached finals in Indian Wells and Toronto.

Her run in New York has also ensured that she will become the new world No. 1 after the tournament.

Head-to-Head: Sabalenka Leads 10-7

The rivalry between Sabalenka and Rybakina has produced some of the most compelling matches in women’s tennis, with Sabalenka holding a narrow 10-7 advantage in their head-to-head record.

They have met six times in finals, with Rybakina winning four of those encounters, including victories at the 2025 WTA Finals and the 2026 Australian Open.

This will be their fourth meeting of the 2026 season. Sabalenka has already gained revenge for her Australian Open final defeat by beating Rybakina in both Indian Wells and Miami.

Key Stats and Facts

• Sabalenka owns a 4-4 record in Grand Slam finals, including a 1-3 mark in her last four.
• She has an 8-14 career record against opponents ranked No. 1 or No. 2.
• Rybakina has won two of her three Grand Slam finals, lifting the Wimbledon title in 2022 and the Australian Open trophy in 2026.
• Rybakina is attempting to become only the third woman in the past two decades to win both hard-court Grand Slam tournaments in the same season.

Sabalenka’s 2026 Season

Best results: Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami — titles; Australian Open — finalist

2026 record: 46-8

Outdoor hard-court record: 33-3

Last 10 matches: 8-2

Against top-10 opponents: 7-2

Grand Slam final record: 0-1 in 2026; 4-4 career

Finals record: 3-1 in 2026; 24-20 career

At the Grand Slams this year, Sabalenka reached the Australian Open final, the French Open quarter-finals and the Wimbledon round of 16.

Sabalenka at the US Open

Career US Open record: 40-6

Best result: Champion in 2024 and 2025

2025 result: Champion

US Open finals record: 2-1

2026 preparation: Toronto — round of 16; Cincinnati — round of 16

Her route to the final has included victories over Camila Osorio, Iryna Iatcenko, Kamilla Rakhimova, Taylor Townsend, Linda Noskova and Jessica Pegula.

Rybakina’s 2026 Season

Best results: Australian Open and Stuttgart — titles; Indian Wells and Toronto — finals

2026 record: 48-13

Outdoor hard-court record: 35-7

Last 10 matches: 9-1

Against top-10 opponents: 9-5

Grand Slam final record: 1-0 in 2026; 2-1 career

Finals record: 2-2 in 2026; 13-13 career

Rybakina won the Australian Open earlier this year, while her other Grand Slam results included a first-round exit at the French Open and a second-round exit at Wimbledon.

Rybakina at the US Open

Career US Open record: 14-6

Best result: Final in 2026

2025 result: Round of 16

US Open finals record: 0-0

2026 preparation: Toronto — final; Cincinnati — quarter-finals

Her path to the championship match has seen her defeat Frodin, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Yulia Starodubtseva, Naomi Osaka, Qinwen Zheng and Coco Gauff.

A Final With World No. 1 Status on the Line

Few finals could provide a more compelling storyline than this clash between the outgoing world No. 1 and the player ready to take her place at the top of the rankings.

Sabalenka arrives with the opportunity to make history by completing a US Open three-peat, while Rybakina is chasing another Grand Slam crown and the world No. 1 ranking.

With their head-to-head rivalry so closely contested and both players in excellent hard-court form, another thrilling battle — potentially decided in a final set — could be in store at Flushing Meadows.

US Open 2026

The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season. The 2026 edition runs from August 30 to September 13 at Flushing Meadows in New York City, with the event contested on outdoor hard courts.