National Sports

Top 2 women meet in US Open final today

NEW YORK -- 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 at 4 p.m. today, 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.

“We’re dealing with the two best players in the last couple of years on the women’s side,” former men’s player Max Mirnyi, now part of Sabalenka’s coaching team, said Friday. “Their results and their rankings and their titles speak for themselves. When they see each other across the net, I think that brings out the best in each one of them.”

Sabalenka entered the U.S. Open in a bit of a rut, failing to reach the quarterfinals in each of her past three tournaments, including an exit in the round of 16 at Wimbledon. The 28-year-old has looked right at home back in Flushing Meadows, losing just one set in six matches and making another deep run in dominant fashion.

“She’s in love with New York, I guess,” coach Anton Dubrov said with a laugh, noting Sabalenka’s strength on hard courts and calmness in the chaotic environment of Arthur Ashe Stadium. “If she’s in control of (her) energy, she’s pretty good.”

Sabalenka has been first in the WTA rankings since Oct. 21, 2024. Regardless of the result, that changes Monday, with Rybakina ascending to that spot for the first time.

Rybakina, 27, is one victory away from her third major title and second this year. She won the Australian Open in January, beating Sabalenka in the final.

“It’s an important match, and since it’s a final, honestly, I feel like it doesn’t matter who is on the other side,” Rybakina said. “You just want to win and do your best.”