Aryna Sabalenka, who has defended her US Open crown for the past two years, is poised to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to pull off a three‑peat in New York. The Belarusian will face the newly crowned world No.
1, Elena Rybakina, in the championship match on Saturday, a clash that promises to be one of the most compelling finals in recent history. Rybakina’s meteoric rise this season has been nothing short of spectacular. After beating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier in the year, she has amassed a string of strong performances that will see her ascend to the top of the WTA rankings on Monday, ending Sabalenka’s 99‑week tenure at the summit.
Despite the disappointment of losing the Australian Open title, the Kazakhstani star has turned the setback into motivation, and she now has a chance to rewrite the narrative by capturing her first Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. For Sabalenka, the final represents an opportunity for redemption on two fronts.
Not only does she have a chance to avenge her Australian Open loss, but she can also defend her US Open title against the very player who is poised to overtake her in the rankings. The match 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, Sabalenka has joined an elite group of world No. 1s who have reached at least five Grand Slam finals. The list includes legends such as Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis.
Sabalenka is now contesting her ninth major final, riding 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 major finals.
This season, she has already secured 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 lot of work, and that was one of my goals, but there were periods this season when I didn’t perform at my best. Elena took advantage of that and played brilliantly. I can only focus on myself, stay in the moment and give my best. Maybe I’ll take it back from her.
It feels strange to play well and still lose the number one spot, but that’s the beauty of sport – everyone chasing everyone, and it’s the little improvements that make the difference." Rybakina, the first Kazakh player ever to become world No. 1, echoed a similar sentiment about the pressure and opportunity that come with a Grand Slam final.
"It’s an important match, and because it’s a final, I feel it doesn’t matter who’s 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 tight, and even if something goes wrong, there are still plenty of tournaments left this year. Playing against someone like Aryna pushes me to my limits, and that’s exactly what I need to improve." Earlier in the tournament, Sabalenka admitted that winning a third US Open title mattered more to her than retaining the world No. 1 ranking.
Her performance coach, Jason Stacy, praised her mental resilience, noting, "Aryna is remembering who she is – she’s very aligned with her strengths. She knows what she’s capable of, and when she steps onto a big stage against a player like Jess Pegula, she knows she has to elevate her game. This is her house, and the other competitors are guests; it’s time for them to leave." Former Belarusian pro Max Mirnyi, who reached a career‑high of No.
18, added his perspective on Sabalenka’s suitability for the New York atmosphere. "You can see she improves as the tournament progresses. She thrives under the spotlight, loves the glamour and the night‑session pressure, and that’s why she’s been so successful here," Mirnyi said.
Rybakina’s path to the final was equally dramatic. She rallied to defeat Coco Gauff in a thrilling semi‑final, securing her place opposite the defending champion and moving one step closer to her third Grand Slam crown. The two athletes have met in two previous major finals: Sabalenka won the 2023 Australian Open showdown, while Rybakina leveled the score at Melbourne Park earlier this year.
Both players emphasize the mutual respect and competitive fire 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 streamed live on Sky Sports from August 30, with additional viewing options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also catch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also broadcast on Sky Sports.
As the tournament reaches its climax, the tennis world watches closely to see whether Sabalenka will cement her legacy with a historic three‑peat or whether Rybakina will seize the moment to become the first Kazakh to win a Grand Slam while holding the world No. 1 ranking.