Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka will contest the women’s singles final at the 2026 US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday.
Rybakina, the new world number one, battled past Coco Gauff to secure a thrilling 3-6 6-4 6-4 semi-final win and move into her first US Open final.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, ended Jessica Pegula’s run thanks to a clinical 7-5 6-2 victory, with the defending champion now eyeing a third consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina overcomes Gauff
Speaking courtside after the win, Rybakina said on Sky Sports: “Of course there were nerves.
“Coco is a great player – it’s always tough to play her.
“Even if sometimes her first serve doesn’t go, the second one is so heavy it’s difficult to dictate the rallies.
“I took a deep breath, tried to talk positive with myself and just told myself I need to fight and try to show good tennis.”
A disappointed Gauff stated: “My dad came up to me and was like, ‘you accomplished so many great things this summer,’ and I’m like, ‘I don’t care about the summer.’
“But, I mean, it’s the goal.
“I want to be a consistent player – I want to give myself as many opportunities to lift a trophy.
“But, yeah, it hurts.
“It’s definitely a learning experience, and I hope to continue to keep putting myself in positions to hopefully win.”
Sabalenka dismantles Pegula
Having booked her place in yet another New York final, Sabalenka told reporters: “I was so desperate for the win – I wanted it badly.
“I can say that I feel confident.
“I feel mentally and physically really strong right now.”
In contrast, a shell-shocked Pegula admitted: “I don’t know who p***** her off.
“Hopefully, it wasn’t me totally, but it might have been, I don’t know.
“She played insane – she played a super-high level.
“Honestly, I don’t really know if there was much I could do.”
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Nicole Powell 
SportJustSport writers