Aryna Sabalenka, the two‑time defending champion at Flushing Meadows, is poised to chase a remarkable feat: becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win three consecutive US Open titles. The stakes are dramatically heightened by the presence of Elena Rybakina, the newly crowned world No. 1, who will meet Sabalenka in the tournament’s climax on Saturday. Rybakina’s meteoric 2024 season began with a stunning victory over Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, a triumph that propelled her to the top of the WTA rankings on Monday and terminated the Belarusian’s 99‑week tenure as world No.
1. Despite that loss, Sabalenka is determined to exact a measure of revenge by defending her New York crown against the very player who dethroned her. The final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis from 5 p.m., offering tennis fans a chance to witness a showdown between the sport’s two leading seeds. It marks the first US Open final featuring the top two seeds since Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka in 2013, underscoring the historic nature of the encounter.
Sabalenka’s résumé places her among an elite group of women who have reached five or more Grand Slam finals while holding the world No. 1 ranking. She joins Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis in this exclusive club. The Belarusian is now contesting her ninth major final overall and has compiled a 19‑match winning streak at the US Open this year.
Her record at the tournament over the past five years stands at an impressive 36‑3, and she has reached eight consecutive hard‑court major finals, including seven top‑10 victories this season alone. In a recent interview Sabalenka reflected on the challenges of maintaining the top ranking: “I really understand how tough it is to reach world No.
1. It takes a lot of work, and that was one of my goals, but midway through the season I didn’t perform as well as I wanted. Elena took the lead and played superbly.
I can only focus on myself, stay in the moment and give my best, hoping I can take it back from her. It feels odd to play well and still lose the number one spot, but that’s the beauty of sport – everyone is chasing everyone, and it’s about those small improvements that make the difference.” Rybakina, the first Kazakh player ever to attain the world No. 1 ranking, approached the final with a calm yet competitive mindset. She said, “It’s an important match, and because it’s a final, I just want to win and give my best.
I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself; the rankings are so close that even if something goes wrong, I still have 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.” Earlier in the tournament Sabalenka admitted that a third US Open title mattered more to her than retaining the top ranking.
Her performance coach, Jason Stacy, praised her mental clarity: “Aryna is remembering who she is – she’s very aligned with her strengths. She knows what she’s capable of and understands that on a big stage she must elevate her game. She sees this tournament as her house and the other players as guests; it’s time for them to leave.” Former Belarusian star Max Mirnyi added his perspective, noting Sabalenka’s growing confidence: “We can see Aryna improving as the tournament progresses. She fits perfectly in New York, thriving under the spotlight and the pressure of night sessions.
That’s why she’s been so successful here.” Rybakina’s path to the final featured a thrilling semi‑final victory over Coco Gauff, cementing her place in the championship match and bringing her one step closer to a third Grand Slam title. The two athletes have already met in two Grand Slam finals: Sabalenka prevailed in the 2023 Australian Open, while Rybakina reversed the outcome in Melbourne earlier this year. Both players emphasized the mutual benefit of 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.” Sabalenka echoed this sentiment, noting that the intensity of their contests sharpens both competitors. The US Open will continue to be broadcast on Sky Sports from August 30 onward, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering fans flexible ways to follow the action without a contract. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts can catch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also on Sky Sports.
As the final approaches, the narrative is clear: Sabalenka seeks to etch her name in history with a three‑peat, while Rybakina aims to solidify her newly acquired world No. 1 status with her first US Open triumph. The clash promises high‑quality tennis, dramatic storylines, and a showcase of the mental and physical resilience required at the pinnacle of the sport.
Whether the outcome favors a historic repeat or a maiden victory, the match will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in women’s tennis for 2024.