Tennis’s top two are hitting the court, as No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka takes on freshly minted world No. 1 Elena Rybakina in tomorrow’s 2026 US Open final.
Sabalenka continues roll toward a third straight title, making quick work of No. 3 Jessica Pegula in last night’s 7-5, 6-2 semifinal victory.
Rybakina is also living up to her new title, ousting home-court favorite No. 4 Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in Thursday’s closer.
Sabalenka and Rybakina will be the first Nos. 1 and 2 seeds to meet at a US Open women’s final since Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka in 2013.
Sabalenka is already the first WTA star to reach four consecutive US Open finals since Serena Williams in 2014, as the 28-year-old strives to pull off the first three-peat Queens has seen since Williams’s run that same year.
“I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course I want to go all the way,” she said after Thursday’s win.
The 2026 US Open final kicks off Saturday (ESPN).
