The women’s Grand Slam season will end Saturday the same way it started. With Aryna Sabalenka taking on Elena Rybakina for a title. 

The World No. 1 facing the woman who will supplant her atop the rankings. The two-time defending U.S. Open champ facing the biggest threat to her dynasty. 

“I want to go all the way,” Sabalenka said. “The mentality was just, I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever it’s going to take to get the win. 

“It’s going to be [a] really tough match. She’s a big server. She really improved over the years on the baseline game, so it’s going to be [a] physically and mentally tough match. But, as I said, I’m ready for the fight. I’m ready to do everything to get the win, so I’m excited for that match.” 

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan serves to Coco Gauff of the US during their semifinals match in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2026 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post

Sabalenka has done nothing but win in New York for years. 

The big-serving Belarusian is the first player in the Open Era — male or female — to make eight straight hardcourt Grand Slam finals. But she’s never better than here. 

In Saturday’s final, she will go for the first three-peat at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams from 2012-14. She’s riding a 19-match winning streak in the U.S. Open, unbeaten since losing the 2023 final to American Coco Gauff. 

Rybakina derailed a rematch by beating Gauff in one semifinal, while Sabalenka hammered American Jessica Pegula in the other. 

“I just love New York and I love being here, and I love the energy of the city. That’s what drives me. That’s what really inspires me and pushes me to keep going,” said Sabalenka. 

“She’s in love with New York … hardcourts fit best for her game style,” said Sabalenka’s coach Anton Dubrov, adding she’s added poise with age. “Obviously much more mature … She’s much better with managing lots of things outside of the tennis court, and can separate much better than it was in the early [part] of her career.” 

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after defeating Jessica Pegula of the US during their semifinals match in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2026 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Sabalenka is seen playing with a famous necklace. Jason Szenes for NY Post

Rybakina is gunning for her second major title this year after beating Sabalenka at the Australian Open. It’s the latest page in a budding rivalry. 

The duo are playing for the 18th time on WTA Tour, with Sabalenka leading 10-7. This will be their third meeting in a major final, having split the other two. 

“We played many times. She’s a very aggressive player. It’s difficult to play with her, mentally, physically, because she has big game, big serve,” Rybakina said. “I will need to come with all the energy I’ll have, bring my best serve against Aryna, and make the right decisions in the right moment, because most of the times it’s tight, tight score. This is where the decision makes a difference.” 

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan hits a return to Coco Gauff of the US during their semifinals match in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2026 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post

This is the fourth time Sabalenka and Rybakina will play this year, and eighth since the start of 2025. 

And though Sabalenka has claimed the last two meetings in U.S. hardcourt finals — at Indian Wells and Miami — Rybakina has won their recent big-ticket matchups in last year’s WTA Finals and the Australian Open final two months later. 

“It’s [an] important match. And since it’s a final, honestly, I feel like it doesn’t matter who is on the other side, you just want to win and do your best,” said Rybakina. 

“We push each other when we play these matches, and you clearly can see on what you need to work more. That’s great that you play against someone who pushes you til the limits.” 

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hits a return to Jessica Pegula of the US during their semifinal match in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post

Former pro Max Mirnyi, now consulting for Sabalenka, agreed the two stars raise each other’s levels. 

“We’re dealing with the two best players in the last couple of years…Their results and rankings and titles speak for themselves,” said Mirnyi. “When they see each other across the net, that brings the best in each one of them. 

“(Sabalenka) certainly fits well with New York. … She fits perfectly for this environment. She likes this circumstance of being the glamor girl and having the spotlight on her, dealing with the pressures of the night sessions. She thrives in this pressure. That’s why she has been successful. We’re hopeful there’s still one more fight in her left.”