Two of the biggest hitters in women’s tennis will battle for the final Grand Slam title of the year when Aryna Sabalenka faces Elena Rybakina in the US Open women’s singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.
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There could hardly be more at stake.
Sabalenka is chasing history as she attempts to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. Rybakina, meanwhile, will officially replace Sabalenka as world No. 1 on Monday and has the opportunity to celebrate that achievement by lifting her third Grand Slam trophy.
The pair are no strangers to facing each other with major silverware at stake, either. Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in three sets in this year’s Australian Open final, adding another chapter to one of the defining rivalries in women’s tennis.
Sabalenka vs Rybakina Preview
Sabalenka’s dominance in New York has become remarkable.
The 28-year-old won the US Open in both 2024 and 2025 and has now reached the final for a fourth consecutive year. Her victory over Pegula extended her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 19 matches.
Her path hasn’t been completely straightforward.
Sabalenka survived her biggest scare against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals, recovering from a break down in the deciding set to prevail 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7). She then produced a much cleaner performance against Pegula, winning 7-5, 6-2 in just 80 minutes.
That semi-final display was ominous.
Sabalenka struck 29 winners and seven aces and increasingly overwhelmed Pegula with the weight of her groundstrokes. When her first serve and forehand are working together, there are very few players capable of matching her power.
Rybakina happens to be one of them.
The Kazakh has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 season and will become the new world No. 1 regardless of Saturday’s result. She won the Australian Open by beating Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final and has now reached her second major final of the season.
Her route through New York has demonstrated plenty of resilience. Rybakina came from a set down against Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals and did the same against Gauff in Thursday’s semi-final.
Against Gauff, she recovered from losing the opening set 6-3 to take the next two 6-4, 6-4 and reach her first US Open final.
The matchup itself should produce explosive tennis.
Both women possess huge serves and look to dictate points quickly from the baseline. Rybakina’s cleaner, flatter ball-striking can take time away from Sabalenka, while the Belarusian arguably possesses greater firepower when rallies extend.
Their recent meetings demonstrate just how evenly matched they are. Rybakina beat Sabalenka in the 2025 WTA Finals final and 2026 Australian Open final, before Sabalenka responded by beating her at Indian Wells and Miami this year.
That makes Saturday exceptionally difficult to call.
Recent Form & Stats
- Sabalenka is the two-time defending US Open champion.
- Sabalenka enters Saturday riding a 19-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows.
- Rybakina will become the new WTA world No. 1 on Monday, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign.
- Rybakina is the reigning Australian Open champion after beating Sabalenka in three sets in January.
- Rybakina defeated Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals.
- Both Rybakina’s quarter-final and semi-final victories came after she lost the opening set.
- Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman since Serena Williams (2012-14) to win three consecutive US Open titles.
Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka To Win
Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win at 1.68.
Best Bet: Over 22.5 total games at 1.73.
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