Sabalenka and Rybakina to Collide in Seismic US Open Final Showdown

After 507 Grand Slam women's singles matches this year, the 508th and final contest of 2026 will be a showdown for the US Open title between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina , neatly bookending the season following the pair's thrilling Australian Open final back in January.

Whichever way you look at it, this match is an encounter of monumental significance. For the first time since 2013 - when Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka - the top two seeds will meet in the women's singles final at Flushing Meadows.

Yet, this time around, there is an extra caveat which adds another layer of intrigue to proceedings. While Sabalenka technically remains the top seed and World No. 1 until Sunday, she is already guaranteed to be usurped at the summit by her opponent when the new WTA rankings are published on Monday.