Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Rybakina’s Serve Challenges Sabalenka’s Three-Peat Bid
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are playing each other in the US Open final.
Sabalenka is trying to win the tournament for the third time in a row.
Rybakina has never reached the US Open final before.
Her biggest strength is a very powerful serve, and she has hit more aces this year than Sabalenka.
Sabalenka is especially strong when returning her opponent’s serve.
She also hits very powerful shots from the back of the court.
Rybakina wants to keep serving well and make smart choices during close points.
Sabalenka wants to shorten the rallies and attack before Rybakina can settle into them.
Aryna Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive US Open final after defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2.
Elena Rybakina reached the final for the first time after overcoming Qinwen Zheng and Coco Gauff.
Rybakina has hit 357 aces this year, compared with Sabalenka’s 236.
Sabalenka has the stronger return statistics, winning 44.6% of return points versus Rybakina’s 42.3%.
Rybakina defeated Sabalenka at the Australian Open in January and must serve well to challenge the defending champion.
- Who
- Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
- What
- They will contest the US Open women’s singles final, with Sabalenka seeking a hat-trick of titles.
- When
- The final is scheduled for Saturday; the article also refers to their Australian Open meeting in January and statistics from 2026.
- Where
- The US Open in New York, at Flushing Meadows.
- Why
- Sabalenka is defending her title and pursuing a third straight championship, while Rybakina is seeking her first US Open title and the world No. 1 ranking.
Rybakina’s Winning Plan
Sabalenka’s Winning Plan
Serve and returns
Rybakina’s Winning Plan
Rybakina needs to use her bigger serve, which has produced more aces, and serve better than she did against Gauff.
Sabalenka’s Winning Plan
Sabalenka has the stronger return numbers and will try to pressure Rybakina’s service games.
Rally length
Rybakina’s Winning Plan
Rybakina could become more competitive if rallies extend, allowing her heavier, flatter groundstrokes to match Sabalenka from the baseline.
Sabalenka’s Winning Plan
Sabalenka will seek to shorten rallies through explosive baseline power and accurate placement.
Handling pressure
Rybakina’s Winning Plan
Rybakina must make the right decisions in tight moments and avoid allowing Sabalenka to gain control.
Sabalenka’s Winning Plan
Sabalenka believes she is ready for a physically and mentally demanding fight and must avoid frustration if breaks are difficult to find.
- Finalists
- Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina
- Sabalenka’s semifinal
- Defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2
- Rybakina’s route
- Defeated Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals and Coco Gauff in the semifinals
- Aces in 2026
- Rybakina: 357; Sabalenka: 236
- First-serve points won
- Rybakina: 73.4%; Sabalenka: 71%
- Return points won
- Sabalenka: 44.6%; Rybakina: 42.3%
- Previous meeting cited
- Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at the Australian Open in January