US Open 2026: Rybakina to face Sabalenka in final

The 2026 US Open has set up a blockbuster women's singles final as soon-to-be world number one Elena Rybakina produced a resilient comeback against home favorite Coco Gauff. The Kazakh second seed fought back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, silencing the partisan crowd in New York and earning her spot in the championship match against top seed Aryna Sabalenka.

While the prestige of winning titles remains her primary focus, Rybakina's run guarantees an end to Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the summit of women's tennis, with the official rankings update on Monday confirming the handover. However, the 27-year-old Grand Slam champion is aiming to cap off her success by denying her Belarusian rival a third successive US Open crown on Saturday.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the showpiece after overpowering Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, keeping alive her bid to become only the third woman in the Open era to claim the New York singles title three times in a row. The victory also extended her record-breaking streak, making her the first player—male or female—to reach eight successive hard-court Grand Slam finals since the 2023 Australian Open.

Sabalenka weathered early frustrations and unforced errors against Pegula before finding her rhythm at 6-5 in the first set, eventually hammering 29 winners past her American opponent. Despite a shaky run-up to the tournament featuring early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the top seed has dropped only one set en route to the final, holding a 10-7 head-to-head advantage over Rybakina ahead of their Saturday clash.