Sabalenka and Rybakina set to clash in U.S. Open women's final

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and newly crowned world No. 1 Elena Rybakina will meet in the women's singles final of the 2026 U.S. Open on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m. ET. The match will be played at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, and will be televised on ESPN with streaming available through Fubo's "Stream Free Now" service.

Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive U.S. Open final after a 7-5, 6-2 semifinal win over Jessica Pegula, during which she hit 29 winners and held serve throughout. Rybakina advanced by defeating home-favorite Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 after losing the first set, capitalising on Gauff's errors in the decisive games.

The final will be the fourth meeting between the two this season and a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Rybakina won. Sabalenka is aiming to become the first player since Serena Williams to capture three straight U.S. Open titles, while Rybakina seeks to confirm her top ranking.

"Sabalenka powered through the court and blasted a total of 29 winners," the tournament summary noted.

"Rybakina rallied and took advantage of Gauff’s mistakes for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory," the report added.

Both athletes entered the championship with recent challenges: Sabalenza had not won a tournament since the Miami Open in March, and Rybakina withdrew from the Cincinnati Open in August due to injury. The match will be the centerpiece of the tournament's concluding day.