Who: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina What: US Open 2026 women’s singles final Where: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York, United States When: Saturday, September 12, 4pm local time ( ) How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 1pm local time ( ) before our live text commentary stream. The top two seeds at the US Open 2026 clash in the women’s singles final on Saturday, as two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka takes on soon-to-be world No. 1 Elena Rybakina. Saturday’s clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium offers top seed Sabalenka the opportunity to complete a rare “three-peat” of US Open titles – a feat achieved by only two other women.
But second seed Rybakina will try to deal Sabalenka another blow, having already ensured the Belarusian’s 99-week reign at the top when the rankings are updated on Monday. As the pair meet in a Grand Slam final for the third time, Al Jazeera tells you everything you need to know: Sabalenka eliminated top-ranked American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first semifinal on Thursday, continuing her bid to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women to win three straight US Open titles. In the second semifinal, Rybakina silenced the partisan crowd, rallying from a set down to beat 2023 champion Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
They’ve met three times this year, with Sabalenka winning their semifinal clash in Miami and the final at Indian Wells in southern California. Rybakina won just once; however, it was the biggest of the three, lifting the Australian Open title in Melbourne. Rybakina said she will not put extra pressure on herself before her maiden US Open final, viewing the showdown as another chance to test herself against a rival who pushes her to the limit.
I think that’s great that you play against someone who pushes you to the limit.” The unstoppable Sabalenka pounded third-seeded Pegula remorselessly with her powerful groundstrokes, saying she was “super desperate” to reach her fourth straight final. I’m ready for whatever it’s going to take to get the win.” “She [Rybakina] is a big server. She really improved over the years on the baseline game, so it’s going to be a physically and mentally tough match,” the Belarusian added.
The 28-year-old has four major titles in her cabinet: two Australian Open titles (2023 and 2024), and two US Open crowns (2024 and 2025). The Russian-born Kazakh has two major titles: the 2022 Wimbledon title and the 2026 Australian Open title. Saturday’s final will be their 18th career meeting, with Sabalenka leading the head-to-head 10-7.
It will also mark the third time they will clash in a Grand Slam final after Rybakina won the 2026 Australian Open and Sabalenka triumphed at the same major in 2023. History suggests Sabalenka is the favourite at Flushing Meadows, having not been beaten since losing the 2023 final to Gauff. The current World No. 1 has dropped only one set en route to the title clash, and seems to have hit her peak form just before the final in a “last push of the season”.
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