New York (AFP) – Aryna Sabalenka's world number one ranking is on the line at the US Open, where the Belarusian star will try to shake off recent struggles to clinch a rare three-peat in the final Grand Slam of the season.
Issued on: 27/08/2026 - 21:52
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Second-ranked Elena Rybakina has been inching toward the top spot for weeks and will get there if she reaches the semi-finals, but the Kazakh's prospects are clouded by injury concerns.Americans Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula could also pounce -- if either bag the title and Sabalenka and Rybakina both falter in Flushing Meadows.Those closest in pursuit aren't the only players Sabalenka has to worry about as she tries to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012-2014 to win three straight US Open titles.Six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek thrust herself into the conversation with her first title of the season in Toronto, while Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala boosted her hard court credentials with a first career WTA title in Washington this month.Here AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the tournament, which starts on Sunday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center:Sabalenka three-peat bidSabalenka began 2026 in strong style, lifting the trophy in Brisbane before she was stunned by Rybakina in the Australian Open final.She avenged that defeat with a victory over the Kazakh in the final at Indian Wells and went on to complete the "Sunshine Double" with a triumph in Miami.But Sabalenka hasn't reached a final since, her early exits including a quarter-final defeat at Roland Garros and a fourth-round loss at Wimbledon before fourth-round exits in Toronto and Cincinnati.Sabalenka said in Cincinnati that the key to turning things around is to play with "no fear" and added that whatever her ranking and whatever her form she relishes being the woman to beat."I love having the target on my back," said Sabalenka, who will open her campaign against Camila Osorio in a quarter that also includes surprise Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.Rybakina injury fearsRybakina has been ramping up the pressure on Sabalenka, but the Kazakh star's US Open bid was thrown into doubt when she withdrew from her quarter-final in Cincinnati with an apparent Achilles tendon injury.
