Aryna Sabalenka, who is defending her US Open crown for a second consecutive year, stands on the brink of a remarkable achievement: becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to capture three straight titles at Flushing Meadows. Her opponent on Saturday’s championship match is the newly crowned world No.
1, Elena Rybakina, who will be looking to add her first US Open trophy to an already impressive résumé. Rybakina’s 2024 season has been nothing short of meteoric.
After defeating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, the Kazakh player amassed enough ranking points to overtake the Belarusian on Monday, ending Sabalenka’s 99‑week tenure at the top of the WTA ladder. Despite the shift in the rankings, the two rivals will meet again in New York, this time with the US Open title at stake and the world No.
1 spot already secured for Rybakina. For Sabalenka, the match offers a chance at redemption on two fronts. Not only can she avenge the loss in Melbourne, but she can also defend her title against the very player who has just displaced her from the summit of the sport.
The final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis from 5 p.m. on Saturday, and the stakes could not be higher. Since the Open Era began in 1988, only a handful of women have reached five or more Grand Slam finals while holding the world No. 1 ranking.
Sabalenka joins an elite group that includes Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis. She is now contesting her ninth major final overall and rides a 19‑match winning streak in New York. Her record at the US Open over the past five years stands at an impressive 36‑3, and she has reached eight consecutive hard‑court majors finals. This season alone she has logged seven victories over top‑10 opponents, including back‑to‑back wins at this tournament.
"I really understand how tough it is to reach world No. 1," Sabalenka said in a recent interview. "It takes a massive amount of work, and that was one of my goals, but there were periods this season when I didn’t perform at my best. Elena played brilliantly and took the top spot, but I’m focusing on my own game, staying in the moment, and giving everything I have.
If I can reclaim that number one position, it would be a huge reward, but the primary aim right now is to win this final. It feels strange to play well and still lose the ranking, but that’s the beauty of sport – everyone is constantly chasing each other, and improvement comes from those little details." The final pits the two top seeds against each other, a scenario that has not occurred at the US Open since Williams beat Victoria Azarenka in 2013. Rybakina, the first Kazakh player to reach the No. 1 ranking, echoed a similar sentiment about the pressure and the opportunity the match presents.
"It’s an important match, and because it’s a final, I don’t focus on who’s on the other side – I just want to win and give my best," Rybakina said. "I also try not to put too much pressure on myself. The rankings are extremely close, and even if something goes wrong in the final, there will be other tournaments and chances later in the year.
Playing against someone of Aryna’s calibre pushes me to improve, and that competition is something I welcome." Earlier in the tournament, Sabalenka admitted that a third US Open title mattered more to her than retaining the world No. 1 ranking. Her performance coach, Jason Stacy, emphasized her mental readiness. "Aryna is reconnecting with who she is – she’s very aligned with her strengths and knows what she’s capable of.
On a big stage, she understands she has to elevate her game. She sees this tournament as her home court, and the other players are essentially guests.
It’s time for them to leave." Former Belarusian star Max Mirnyi, who reached a career‑high of world No. 18, added his perspective on Sabalenka’s form. "We can see Aryna improving as the tournament progresses.
She thrives under the spotlight and handles the pressure of night sessions exceptionally well. That’s why she has been so successful in New York," Mirnyi noted. Rybakina’s path to the final was dramatic as well. She edged out Coco Gauff in a thrilling semi‑final, setting up a showdown with the defending champion and moving one step closer to what would be her third Grand Slam crown.
The two have met in two previous major finals: Sabalenka won the 2023 Australian Open final, while Rybakina turned the tables in Melbourne earlier this year. Both players have spoken about the mutual respect they share and how their rivalry fuels their development.
Rybakina reiterated that the final is a chance to test herself against the best, while Sabalenka emphasized the importance of staying present and executing her game plan. The US Open coverage will continue on Sky Sports from August 30 onward, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London later in September, which will also be broadcast on Sky Sports. As the sun sets over Flushing Meadows on Saturday, the tennis world will be watching a clash that could define the next chapter of women’s tennis: a possible three‑peat for Sabalenka or a maiden US Open triumph for the newly crowned world No. 1, Elena Rybakina.