Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina to meet in a US Open final between the world's top 2 players

Elena Rybakina, left, of Kazakhstan, holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus, in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, follows through on a shot to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women’s singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns the ball to Coco Gauff, of the United States, during the women’s singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka is going for a third consecutive U.S. Open title. Standing in her way is Elena Rybakina, who is taking over for her as the No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player in the world.

Sabalenka and Rybakina meet in the final on Saturday, their third time playing for a Grand Slam championship and 18th head-to-head matchup of their careers. It comes with them at the top of their games and the top of the sport after Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in straight sets and Rybakina rallied past Coco Gauff in the semifinals.