Elena Rybakina ended Coco Gauff's run in straight sets on Tuesday, securing a place in the US Open women's final against Aryna Sabalenka.
Rybakina silences Gauff
The Kazakhstani, seeded third, broke Gauff’s serve early in the first set and never looked back, dispatching the American favourite with a blend of powerful groundstrokes and a ferocious first serve. Sky Sports noted that the crowd, which had been chanting Gauff’s name, fell quiet as Rybakina closed out the match.
Rybakina’s victory marked her first appearance in a US Open final and underscored the consistency she has shown since lifting Wimbledon in 2022. Her aggressive baseline play, coupled with a serve averaging over 115 mph, left Gauff scrambling for answers throughout the encounter.
Sabalenka secures her spot
On the opposite side of the draw, Belarusian world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka overcame Jessica Pegula in a hard‑fought semi‑final that stretched to three sets, according to the tournament’s official statistics. Sabalenka, who claimed the US Open title in both 2024 and 2025, displayed her trademark power from the baseline and a renewed tactical variety that helped her edge past the American in the decisive set.
Pegula, the seventh seed, pushed the match to a decider with a series of blistering forehands, but Sabalenka’s experience in Grand Slam finals proved decisive. The win moves Sabalenka one victory away from a third straight US Open crown, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams in 2015‑2017.
Final looms as a blockbuster
The impending showdown pits two of the tour’s most dominant power players against each other. Rybakina, ranked third, has climbed the rankings steadily since her breakthrough at Wimbledon, while Sabalenka, currently second, has built a reputation for converting big points into match‑winning shots.
Both athletes bring contrasting styles: Rybakina’s fluid movement and deep‑court consistency contrast with Sabalenka’s relentless aggression and ability to dictate play from the service line. Analysts expect a high‑intensity contest that could have implications for the year‑end WTA rankings, with the winner likely to reclaim the world No 1 spot.
Beyond the sport, the final promises a global audience, as television ratings for the women’s final have risen steadily over the past decade. Sponsors, including major apparel and technology brands, are positioning the match as a marquee event in their marketing calendars.
Flushing Meadows will host the final on Saturday, with the centre court set to accommodate a capacity crowd of over 23,000 spectators. Ticket sales have already topped the venue’s usual limits, reflecting the bout’s drawing power.
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