Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will meet in the US Open women’s singles final on Saturday, September 12, in a clash between two of the game’s biggest hitters.
Defending champion Sabalenka reached the final with a 7-5, 6-2 win over third seed Jessica Pegula. The top seed has dropped just one set on her way to a fourth consecutive US Open final, beating Camila Osorio, Taylor Townsend, Kamilla Rakhimova and Linda Noskova before overcoming Pegula.
Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win the US Open three years in a row.
Rybakina reached her first US Open final after recovering from a set down to beat fourth seed Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The second seed defeated Thea Frodin, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Yuliia Starodubtseva, Naomi Osaka and Qinwen Zheng before her semi-final comeback against Gauff.
The final adds another chapter to a closely contested rivalry. Sabalenka leads their head to head 10-7, but Rybakina has won two of their three Grand Slam finals.
Sabalenka won their first major final at the 2023 Australian Open, while Rybakina won their most recent Grand Slam meeting at this year’s Australian Open.
Their rivalry has been particularly close in 2026. Rybakina won the Australian Open final before Sabalenka responded with victories in the Indian Wells final and Miami Open semi-finals.
There is also a major ranking storyline. Rybakina secured the world No. 1 ranking by reaching the semi-finals, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.
Rybakina will remain world No. 1 regardless of Saturday’s result, while Sabalenka will be looking to complete her title defence and claim a third straight US Open crown.
The final takes place at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, with the two biggest hitters in the draw battling for the final Grand Slam title of the season.
