Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina meet in the US Open final. Sabalenka looks for a third straight title, while Rybakina will become world number one no matter the result. The match is underway in New York.
Elena Rybakina will become the new world number one, but Aryna Sabalenka is determined to hold onto her US Open title. The women's singles final in New York is a direct contest between two of the sport's most resilient players. Rybakina's run to the final means Sabalenka can no longer catch her in the rankings, with the official update due on Monday.
Sabalenka started the match under pressure, facing three break points in her opening service game. She responded with a strong serve and her first ace, setting up a match defined by aggressive shots and mental toughness. The score is 2-1 in the first set, with Sabalenka serving first. Both players are holding their ground early on.
This is the third Grand Slam final between Sabalenka and Rybakina, a rivalry that has already produced two major title matches.
Rybakina reached the final despite an ankle injury, working through a tough draw. She beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, but Sabalenka has won their last two meetings. In the semifinals, Rybakina came back from a set down to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, even as her injury lingered.
Both players have been in strong form throughout the tournament. Sabalenka has dropped just one set on her way to the final and now holds the Open era record for consecutive Grand Slam hard-court finals. Rybakina is aiming for her third Grand Slam title, having won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026. Sabalenka reached her fourth straight US Open final, beating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals.
Commentators and former champions have focused on the mental side of this matchup. Sabalenka, after a difficult summer, has reestablished herself on hard courts. Rybakina's steady play under pressure has made her a tough opponent. The match, broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live (UK only), has already seen tense moments and brief interruptions, but both players remain focused.
Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 10-7, including the last two hard-court wins in the United States. Sky Sports notes that Sabalenka could become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win three consecutive US Open titles, while the winner will also claim the top spot in the Race to the WTA Finals.
Sabalenka is trying to become only the third woman in the Open era to win three straight US Open titles. Rybakina will officially take over as world number one on Monday, regardless of the result. This final is about more than a trophy—it's a direct fight for momentum and the psychological edge heading into next season.
The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium will help set the tone for women's tennis in the coming year. Rybakina's rise to number one highlights the shifting balance at the top of the sport. Sabalenka's ability to handle early pressure and her drive for another title show that this rivalry is far from over. In a sport where dominance can change quickly, this final captures the intensity and uncertainty that now define the women's game.
