US Open updates
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Sabalenka and Rybakina advanced to the 2026 US Open women's final on Thursday night.
Sabalenka chases a third straight title; Rybakina will take the No. 1 ranking.
Background
The 2026 US Open is the final tennis major of the season, and the men's draw was upended early by Novak Djokovic's first-round loss to Mariano Navone and the absence of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who missed the tournament with a knee injury. Three Americans reached the men's final eight, while the women's semifinals featured the top four seeds for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009. Sabalenka, the defending champion, is bidding for a third consecutive US Open title, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams in 2014.
How it unfolded
- Sep 6, 2026Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen advanced to the men's quarterfinals.
- Sep 7, 2026Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva and Alexander Blockx were among the winners; Zheng Qinwen upset Iga Swiatek to reach the quarterfinals.
- Sep 8, 2026Aryna Sabalenka and Frances Tiafoe won quarterfinals; Jessica Pegula beat Emma Navarro in three sets.
- Sep 9, 2026Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina both came back from a set down to win quarterfinals; Karen Khachanov advanced to the semifinals when Alexander Blockx retired.
- Sep 10, 2026Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, and Rybakina beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the women's final.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The USTA site reported that Sabalenka and Rybakina will meet Saturday in a rematch of this year's Australian Open final, won by Rybakina.
- Analysts
- USA Today noted Sabalenka will lose her No. 1 ranking despite the win, and that Rybakina will debut atop the WTA rankings next week.
- Public
- Sabalenka said she would be 'more than happy' to trade the No. 1 ranking for the US Open title, adding of a three-peat: 'Sounds great.'