Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the tournament's top two seeds, will face off in the U.S. Open final on September 12. This match marks the second time the pair have clashed in a Grand Slam final this year. Sabalenka is chasing a rare third consecutive title at the hardcourt Grand Slam, while Rybakina, the incoming world number one, stands in her way.
Sabalenka reached the final on Thursday after an unstoppable performance on Arthur Ashe Stadium. She defeated top American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, continuing a streak of victories over Pegula that includes 2024 and 2025. With this win, the Belarusian moved one victory away from her third straight title.
Elena Rybakina set up the final by rallying to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday night. Gauff had previously advanced to the semifinals on Wednesday by beating Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2, after fighting off several match points in a tiebreaker.
The final presents a matchup between the player who has been top-ranked for almost the past two years and her successor. Rybakina will replace Sabalenka atop the rankings next week, and she now has the opportunity to deny Sabalenka a third straight victory in New York.