Quick Answer: Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faced newly-crowned world No. 1 Elena Rybakina in the US Open 2026 women’s singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, September 12, with a 4 p.m. ET start time. It marked the first US Open final between the tournament’s top two seeds since Serena Williams beat Victoria Azarenka in 2013, and a Sabalenka win would make her the first player since Williams (2012-14) to three-peat at Flushing Meadows.

What Happened?

Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive US Open final by beating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals, extending her US Open winning streak to 20 matches and setting an Open-era record of eight consecutive Grand Slam hard-court finals. Rybakina reached her first US Open final by rallying past home favorite Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, a result that also secured Rybakina the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career, effective the following Monday, regardless of the final’s outcome.

Why Is This Trending?

The matchup pits the outgoing world No. 1 against the incoming one in a rematch of the 2026 Australian Open final, which Rybakina won. It is only the second time since 1988 that the same two players have met in both the Australian Open and US Open finals in one season, following Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 1994.

Key Details

• Match: US Open 2026 women’s singles final.
• Players: Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 seed, two-time defending champion) vs. Elena Rybakina (No. 2 seed, new world No. 1).
• Date/time: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 4 p.m. ET, Arthur Ashe Stadium.
• Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads 10-7 across 17 prior meetings.
• Stakes: Sabalenka bids for a three-peat and fifth career Grand Slam title; Rybakina bids for her first US Open title and third career major.
• Rybakina already secured the world No. 1 ranking by reaching the final, regardless of the result.

What This Means for Fans

A Sabalenka win would place her alongside Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only players in the Open era to win three straight US Open titles. A Rybakina win would give her three different Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon 2022, Australian Open 2026, US Open 2026) and cement her new No. 1 status with a major trophy.

What We Know So Far

Confirmed: the matchup, date, stakes and each player’s path to the final, based on official WTA and tournament reporting. Not available in sources checked at publication: the final result, as confirmed match coverage of Saturday’s final had not yet been located at the time of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the US Open 2026 women’s final played?

Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Who is ranked world No. 1 heading into the final?

Elena Rybakina secured the No. 1 ranking, effective the Monday after the tournament, by reaching the final regardless of the outcome.

What was at stake for Sabalenka?

A win would make her the first player since Serena Williams (2012-14) to win three straight US Open titles.

Have Sabalenka and Rybakina met in a major final before?

Yes, at the 2026 Australian Open, which Rybakina won.

Key Takeaways

• Sabalenka and Rybakina met in the US Open 2026 final on September 12.
• Rybakina secured the world No. 1 ranking by reaching the final.
• Sabalenka was chasing a three-peat, last done by Serena Williams (2012-14).
• It was a rematch of the 2026 Australian Open final, won by Rybakina.
• Sabalenka led the pair’s head-to-head series 10-7 entering the match.