US Open 2026: Elena Rybakina beats Coco Gauff; to face Aryna Sabalenka in final

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Elena Rybakina mounted a comeback to defeat home favourite Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, earning her first-ever spot in the US Open final. The 27-year-old Kazakh recovered from a set deficit to beat Gauff in two hours and eight minutes, locking in a final clash with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.

Playing under the lights before a packed crowd, Gauff dictated the early tempo. The American claimed the sole break of the opening set to build a 4-2 advantage before serving out the set 6-3.

Rybakina responded sharply in the second set, racing to a 4-1 lead before Gauff rallied with three consecutive games to level the set at 4-4. Rybakina struck back in the tenth game, breaking Gauff to claim the second set 6-4 and push the match to a decider.

Elena Rybakina sets up final against Aryna Sabalenka

Rybakina capitalised on a crucial opening in the eighth game of the final set, breaking Coco Gauff to move ahead 5-3 and within touching distance of victory. Though Gauff responded with a stunning backhand passing shot to break back and extend the contest, Rybakina immediately broke again before serving out the 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph.

The victory earns Rybakina an opportunity for redemption against Sabalenka, who previously defeated her in the 2026 Australian Open final. 

Sabalenka punched her ticket to Sunday’s final by dispatching third seed Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, extending her Flushing Meadows winning streak to 20 matches and reaching her third straight New York final.

Sunday’s final will mark the 18th career meeting between the two stars, with Sabalenka holding a 10-7 lead in their rivalry. It also represents a rare historical feat: this is only the second time since 1988 that the same two women have contested both the Australian Open and US Open finals in the same calendar year, repeating the 1994 showdowns between Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. 

Elena Rybakina will now target her maiden US Open crown against the two-time defending champion. The Kazakh star is already guaranteed the World No. 1 spot in the WTA rankings and would hope to add a US Open title to it.

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