Aryna Sabalenka, who has defended her US Open crown for the past two years, is on the brink of making history in New York. If she can win the final on Saturday, she would become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to achieve a three‑peat at the tournament. Her opponent is the newly crowned world number one, Elena Rybakina, who earned the top spot after defeating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this season. The showdown at Flushing Meadows promises a clash of contrasting narratives: Sabalenka’s quest to add a third consecutive US Open title and Rybakina’s drive to convert her recent rise to the summit into a maiden Grand Slam victory.
Rybakina’s 2024 campaign has been nothing short of spectacular. After a stunning win in Melbourne that ended Sabalenka’s season‑opening title defence, she accumulated a string of deep runs on hard courts, culminating in a decisive victory at the Australian Open. Those points will push her above the Belarusian on Monday, ending Sabalenka’s 99‑week tenure at world No.1. Despite the ranking shift, Sabalenka remains focused on the match in front of her, insisting that the prize she values most is the trophy, not the ranking points.
"I’d rather win a third US Open than keep the No.1 spot," she said earlier in the tournament, underscoring her commitment to the Grand Slam title. The statistics underline Sabalenka’s dominance at Flushing Meadows. She is currently on a 19‑match winning streak in New York, has reached eight consecutive hard‑court major finals, and boasts a 36‑3 record at the US Open over the past five years. Her résumé places her among an elite group of world No.1 players who have contested five or more Grand Slam finals, joining the likes of Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis.
At 28, Sabalenka is entering her ninth Grand Slam final overall, and the possibility of a three‑peat adds a historic layer to the occasion. Rybakina, the first Kazakh to ascend to the top of the WTA rankings, brings a fresh perspective to the final. She acknowledges the pressure of the moment but tries to keep it in perspective, noting that even if the match does not go her way, there are still numerous tournaments left in the calendar year.
"We push each other when we play these matches, and you clearly see what you need to work on," she explained, emphasizing the mutual benefit of competing against a player of Sabalenka’s calibre. Rybakina’s path to the final included a dramatic semi‑final victory over Coco Gauff, a match that showcased her resilience and ability to thrive under pressure.
Both athletes have spoken about the mental aspects of the contest. Sabalenka admitted that losing the No.1 ranking despite a strong performance feels odd, but she views it as part of the sport’s ebb and flow. "It’s the beauty of sport – everyone chasing everyone, and it’s all about the little things you improve on," she said.
Her performance coach, Jason Stacy, praised Sabalenka’s self‑belief, saying she knows who she is and what she can achieve when she steps onto the court. "She just has to show up and understand that this is her house and the other girls are guests," he added, highlighting Sabalenka’s confidence in her own game. Former Belarusian star Max Mirnyi also weighed in, noting that Sabalenka seems to flourish in the New York atmosphere. He described her as a "glamour girl" who thrives under the bright lights of night sessions, a quality that has helped her accumulate success at the US Open.
Mirnyi’s comments reflect a broader consensus among insiders that Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline play, powerful serve, and relentless intensity are ideally suited to the fast hard courts of Flushing Meadows. The final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis from 5 p.m. on Saturday, with additional streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app.
For fans seeking the best viewing experience, a Chrome browser is recommended to ensure full compatibility with the video player. Beyond the immediate stakes, the match carries broader implications for the women’s tour. A Sabalenka victory would reinforce the narrative of a dominant champion extending her reign, while a Rybakina win would signal a shift in power to a new generation of players.
Either outcome will shape the conversation heading into the autumn swing of tournaments, including the Laver Cup in London later this month. In summary, the US Open final pits two of the sport’s brightest stars against each other in a battle that blends history, ambition, and personal redemption. Sabalenka seeks to cement her legacy with a third straight title, while Rybakina aims to turn her recent ascent to world No.1 into a Grand Slam triumph. The match promises high‑quality tennis, intense drama, and the kind of narrative twists that define the sport’s biggest stages.
Whether the crowd witnesses a historic three‑peat or a new champion’s coronation, the result will be remembered as a defining moment in women’s tennis for years to come.