Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka - Preview & Prediction - 2026 US Open Final

<p>Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the 2026 US OPEN FINAL on Arthur Ashe Stadium. A rematch of the Australian Open final, a piece of Serena Williams history on the line, and a No. 1 ranking that has already changed hands.</p><p><br></p><p>Aryna Sabalenka is chasing something nobody has done in over a decade. The two-time defending champion is bidding to become the FIRST WOMAN TO WIN THREE STRAIGHT US OPEN TITLES SINCE SERENA WILLIAMS in 2012-14. Victory would give her a FIFTH career major and a 20TH CONSECUTIVE WIN at this tournament. She survived Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) in the quarterfinals, then demolished Jessica Pegula in the semifinal to get here.</p><p><br></p><p>Elena Rybakina is already the new World No. 1 — she takes over the top ranking on Monday regardless of what happens on Saturday, with Sabalenka dropping to No. 2. The reigning Australian Open champion has taken the hard road all fortnight: past Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4, past qualifier Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, and then a comeback win over Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. A second major of 2026 is one match away.</p><p><br></p><p>The rivalry is one of the best in the sport. Sabalenka leads 10-7 overall, but the biggest matches have gone Rybakina&#39;s way lately — she won the 2025 WTA FINALS title match AND the 2026 AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL, both against Sabalenka. Sabalenka answered by beating her in the Indian Wells AND Miami finals to sweep the Sunshine Double.</p><p><br></p><p>This is their THIRD Grand Slam final against each other, and they have split the first two. Power against power, the best two hard-court players in the world, for the last major of the season.</p><p><br></p><p>🎾 IN THIS VIDEO</p><p>- How Rybakina won the Australian Open final and whether it repeats</p><p>- How Sabalenka answered at Indian Wells and Miami</p><p>- What 19 straight US Open wins tells us about Sabalenka in New York</p><p>- Prediction and predicted scoreline for the final</p><p><br></p><p>📊 MATCH INFO</p><p>Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)</p><p>Round: FINAL — Women&#39;s Singles</p><p>Players: Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 seed, two-time defending champion) vs Elena Rybakina (No. 2 seed, incoming World No. 1)</p><p>Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads 10-7 — Grand Slam finals split 1-1</p><p>Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 — 4:00 PM ET</p><p>Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York</p><p>At stake: First US Open three-peat since Serena Williams (2012-14); Rybakina&#39;s second major of 2026</p><p><br></p><p>💬 Who lifts the trophy? Predicted scoreline in the comments.</p><p>👍 Like if you&#39;ve followed the whole fortnight with us</p><p>🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for full post-final reaction</p><p><br></p><p>- Mantis 10%: https://mantissport.com/qualityshot10 (At Checkout)</p><p>- IM8 10% OFF: https://im8.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=26&amp;aff_id=2077 (Code QST10 at Checkout)</p><p>- Acemate: https://www.acematetennis.com?sca_ref=11586466.udoQ3GLV6m55xoG1&amp;utm_source=uppromote&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=standard-affiliate-commission&amp;utm_content=affiliate-QualityShot-Tennis</p><p><br></p><p>---</p><p><br></p><p>Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for &quot;fair use&quot; for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.</p><p><br></p><p>⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.</p><p><br></p><p>#Sabalenka #Rybakina #USOpen</p>