Aryna Sabalenka, who entered the New York final as the two‑time defending champion, is poised to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to pull off a "three‑peat" at the US Open. Her opponent on Saturday will be Elena Rybakina, the newly crowned world No. 1, who will be making her debut US Open final appearance after a breakthrough year that began with a victory over Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.
Rybakina's stellar 2024 season has been a meteoric rise. The Kazakh star captured her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne, defeating Sabalenka in a hard‑fought three‑set battle. That triumph, combined with consistent deep runs in other majors and Premier events, propelled her to the top of the WTA rankings on Monday, ending Sabalenka's 99‑week tenure at the summit.
Despite the shift in the rankings, Sabalenka remains focused on defending her US Open crown, viewing the upcoming match as an opportunity for redemption after the Australian Open loss and the recent overtaking at the WTA year‑end rankings. Since the Open Era began in 1988, only a handful of women have contested five or more Grand Slam finals while holding the world No. 1 ranking.
Sabalenka joins the elite company of Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis. This will be her ninth Grand Slam final overall, and she arrives in New York on a 19‑match winning streak, having not dropped a set since the start of the tournament. Her record at the US Open over the past five years stands at an impressive 36‑3, and she has reached the final of every hard‑court major this season, tallying seven top‑10 victories along the way. "I really understand how tough it is to reach world No.
1," Sabalenka said in a recent interview. "It takes a lot of work, and that was one of my goals, but there were moments this season when I didn't perform at my best.
Elena played exceptionally well and took the top spot. I can only focus on myself, stay in the moment and give my best.
Maybe I can take it back from her. It feels strange to lose the number one ranking while still playing well, but that's the beauty of sport – everyone is chasing everyone, and it's all about the little improvements that make the difference." The final promises a classic showdown between the top two seeds, a scenario not seen at the US Open since Williams faced Victoria Azarenka in 2013. Rybakina, the first Kazakh player to reach the world No. 1 ranking, expressed a calm confidence ahead of the match.
"It's an important match, and because it's a final, I feel it doesn't matter who is on the other side – you just want to win and give your best," she said. "I don't want to put too much pressure on myself; the rankings are close, and even if something goes wrong, there are still plenty of opportunities later in the year. Playing against someone like Aryna pushes me to my limits and shows me where I need to improve." Sabalenka has been open about her priorities this season.
Earlier in the tournament she admitted that winning a third US Open title means more to her than simply retaining the world No. 1 ranking. Her performance coach, Jason Stacy, praised her mental clarity: "Aryna is remembering who she is – she is very aligned with her strengths. She knows what she's capable of and understands that on a big stage she must elevate her game.
This is her house, and the other players are guests; it's time for them to leave." Former Belarusian pro Max Mirnyi, who reached a career‑high of world No. 18, added perspective on Sabalenka's suitability for the New York atmosphere. "Aryna thrives under the spotlight and the pressure of night sessions. She loves being the centre of attention, and that energy translates into success on the court.
She fits perfectly in this environment." Rybakina's path to the final was equally dramatic. She rallied to defeat Coco Gauff in a thrilling semi‑final, showcasing her powerful baseline game and mental resilience.
The two finalists have already met in a Grand Slam final once before – at the 2023 Australian Open, where Sabalenka emerged victorious. The Kazakh now has the chance to even the scoreline and claim her second major title. Both players have emphasized the mutual respect that fuels their rivalry. Rybakina reiterated, "We push each other when we play these matches, and you can clearly see what you need to work on.
It's great to play against someone who pushes you to the limit." The US Open final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis from 5 p.m. on Saturday, with streaming available via NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers without a contract. Tennis fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup, which will be held at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, also televised on Sky Sports. In summary, the stage is set for a historic clash: Sabalenka aims to become the first woman in a decade to win three consecutive US Open titles, while Rybakina seeks to cement her inaugural world No.
1 status with a maiden US Open triumph. The outcome will not only determine the champion of Flushing Meadows but also shape the narrative of women's tennis for the remainder of the season.