World’s top two meet in US Open women’s final

Aryna Sabalenka is going for a third consecutive US Open title. Standing in her way is Elena Rybakina, who is taking over from her as the No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player in the world.

Sabalenka and Rybakina meet in the final today, their third time playing for a Grand Slam championship and 18th head-to-head matchup of their careers. It comes with them at the top of their games and the top of the sport after Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in straight sets and Rybakina rallied past Coco Gauff in the semi-finals.

“We’re dealing with the two best players in the last couple of years on the women’s side,” former men’s player Max Mirnyi, now part of Sabalenka’s coaching team, said yesterday. “Their results and their rankings and their titles speak for themselves. When they see each other across the net, I think that brings out the best in each one of them.”