Sabalenka vs. Rybakina: US Open Final Preview, How to Watch, Odds

bet365 News Team Updated: 5 hours ago

The final Grand Slam of the year is set to conclude just as the first one did, with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina facing off for the title in New York.

Location	Arhtur Ashe Stadium
Date	Saturday, September 12
Start Time	TBD
TV Channel	ESPN

In a fitting bookend to the season, the US Open final mirrors the Australian Open, as Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina once again compete for a major championship. While American fans had hoped for an all-stars-and-stripes final featuring Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, the sport's established hierarchy has prevailed.

The two dominant forces on hard courts this year will battle it out in what is hardly a surprising conclusion to the tournament. Beyond the trophy, there's also a score to settle regarding the world rankings. Rybakina recently dethroned Sabalenka from the top spot, ending the Belarusian's impressive 99-week reign. Regardless of the final's outcome, Rybakina will remain World No. 1, but the battle for the New York crown is still wide open.

Head-to-Head History: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina

The rivalry between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina is one of the defining narratives of modern tennis. The two have faced each other 17 times, with Sabalenka holding a 10-7 lead. This season alone, they have clashed three times: Sabalenka claimed victories at Indian Wells and Miami, while Rybakina won their encounter at the Australian Open.

Their saga began in 2019 in Wuhan, where Sabalenka secured the first of several consecutive wins, including victories in Abu Dhabi and Wimbledon (2021), and Melbourne (2023). Rybakina turned the tide in March 2023 with wins at Indian Wells and Beijing. Since then, their matches have been more evenly contested, highlighting the balanced and elite level both athletes have reached.

Elena Rybakina's Path to the Final

Elena Rybakina's journey to the final has been anything but straightforward, though she dropped only two sets along the way. After a 6-2, 6-4 second-round win against Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, the No. 2 seed faced a tougher challenge from Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva, eventually winning 7-6, 6-3.

In the round of 16, she dispatched Naomi Osaka with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory. Her biggest test came in the quarterfinals against Qinwen Zheng. After losing the first set, Rybakina mounted a powerful comeback to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. She staged another comeback in the semifinals against Coco Gauff, dropping the first set 3-6 before shifting gears to close out the match 6-4, 6-4 and reach her first-ever US Open final.

Aryna Sabalenka's Path to the Final

Aryna Sabalenka has forged a solid path to the US Open final, once again proving her dominance on the hard courts of New York. The No. 1 seed started strong with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Polina Iatcenko in the second round, followed by a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Kamilla Rakhimova. In the round of 16, she defeated American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3.

Her most difficult match came in the quarterfinals against Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic, where Sabalenka had to fight through a decisive tie-break to win 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7). In the semifinals, she rediscovered her top form against Jessica Pegula, securing an authoritative 7-5, 6-2 win to advance to her fourth consecutive US Open final.

How to watch Sabalenka vs. Rybakina

In the United States, the US Open finals match between Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina will broadcast on ESPN. Fans can stream the match on the ESPN App and Fubo.