Elena Rybakina supplanted Aryna Sabalenka as world No. 1 and can attempt to dethrone her as US Open champion
Richard PagliaroSeptember 10, 20263 minute learn
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 10, 2026
Picture credit score: Garrett Ellwood/USTA
NEW YORK—Aryna Sabalenka strives for roll reversal versus Elena Rybakina within the US Open remaining
Reigning US Open champion Sabalenka dismantled Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 driving into her fourth straight US Open remaining along with her most imposing efficiency of the match. Sabalenka is the primary lady in Open Period historical past to succeed in eighth straight Grand Slam hard-court finals.
Australian Open champion Rybakina rallied previous fourth-seeded Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 into her maiden US Open remaining.
Although Sabalenka is the highest seed, Rybakina rises to world No. 1 when the brand new WTA rankings are launched on Monday whatever the consequence of Saturday’s 4 p.m. remaining. Rybakina supplants Sabalenka as new No. 1 and now tries to dethrone her rival as US Open champion.
Enjoying to grow to be the primary lady to three-peat as US Open champion since Serena Williams (2012-2014), Sabalenka stated it’s a bizarre dynamic to know she will hoist the title trophy for the third straight yr solely to see world No. 1 rating slip from her grip anyway.
“I actually perceive about how robust it’s to succeed in the World No. 1. It’s quite a lot of work, and yeah, that was one in every of my objectives, however proper no longer a lot I might do. I didn’t actually carry out properly in the course of the season,” Sabalenka stated. “Elena took it over and performed very well, and he or she took away No. 1 place. However not a lot I might do about that, however I can solely concentrate on myself and simply keep within the second and attempting to do my finest proper now simply so I preserve it tight and perhaps I’ll take it again from her.
“However, yeah, it does really feel somewhat bit bizarre. You’ll be able to carry out properly within the match however nonetheless be taken away No. 1 place. So it’s okay. It’s sport. I really like that. That’s the great thing about sport, proper? Like, everybody chasing everybody, and it’s all about little issues that you simply enhance and also you get higher at.”
The US Open remaining is a rematch of the Australian Open remaining and a conflict of Grand Slam streaks.
Sabalenka is empowered by a 19-match US Open profitable streak, whereas Rybakina rides a 13-match main hard-court profitable streak into the ultimate. Rybakina aiming to grow to be the third lady this century to win Melbourne and New York in the identical season.
“It’s going to be actually robust match. She’s an enormous server,” Sabalenka stated of Rybakina. “She actually improved over time on the baseline sport, so it’s going to be bodily and mentally robust match.
“However, as I stated, I’m prepared for the combat. I’m able to do every little thing to get the win, so I’m excited for that match.”
The final main remaining conflict between the premier energy gamers was a match of streaks in Melbourne.
Spiraling by way of a five-game slide, Rybakina teetered on the sting of oblivion within the Australian Open remaining.
A resilient Rybakina responded with a rousing title run.
Rybakina reeled off six of the final seven video games gorgeous world No. 1 Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to seize her maiden Australian Open championship with a dedicated comeback.
Bringing her finest in opposition to the very best, Rybakina turned the fourth lady to defeat the world’s High 2-ranked gamers—No. 1 Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek—en path to the title. Rybakina additionally made her mark as the primary lady since Naomi Osaka in 2019 to beat three High 10 opponents and win the AO championship.
It was Rybakina’s tenth straight High 10 win. After Melbourne, Sabalenka remained world No. 1, however Rybakina solidified her standing as world’s most harmful participant.
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