We now know the two finalists in the women’s singles tournament of the 2026 United States Open. It will feature the number one ranked player in the world before the tournament started (Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus) versus the player who will be the first ranked player in the world on Monday regardless of what happens in Saturday’s final (Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan).
Both Sabalenka and Rybakina reached the final by beating Americans in the semifinals. Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula of Buffalo, New York 7-5, 6-2, and Rybakina defeated Coco Gauff of Boca Raton, Florida 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Sabalenka had seven aces compared to four for Pegula. A key statistic was winning percentage on second serve as there was a 51% difference. Sabalenka was at 76% and Pegula was at 24%. Sabalenka also broke Pegula three times in eight opportunities.
After losing to Sabalenka, Pegula stated the following according to the Times of India. “I don’t know who pissed her off today…she played insane. She played super high level. Honestly, I don’t really know if there was much I could do today.”
In the other semifinal on Friday, Rybakina broke Gauff on four occasions. After losing the first set, Rybakina was able to come away with a key break in the second set and again in the third set.
The final of the 2026 US Open will be a rematch of the 2026 Australian Open final, which Rybakina won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. All-time, Sabalenka and Rybakina have played each other 17 times. Sabalenka has won 10 times and Rybakina has won seven times. In 2026, Sabalenka beat Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the Indian Wells final, and 6-4, 6-3 in the Miami Open semifinal.
