The 2026 US Open reaches its decisive weekend with two contrasting singles finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Aryna Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina for the women’s title on Saturday, 12 September. Sabalenka is one victory away from winning a third successive US Open, while Rybakina will arrive knowing she will become world No. 1 when the new rankings are published.
Then the focus turns to Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev on Sunday.
Shelton has reached his first Grand Slam final and can become the first American man to win a major singles title since Andy Roddick lifted the US Open trophy in 2003. Zverev stands between him and that piece of history after reaching his third consecutive major final.
It leaves Flushing Meadows with two title matches carrying very different pressures.
Sabalenka has a New York dynasty to protect. Rybakina has another major within reach. Shelton carries the hopes of the home crowd, while Zverev can add the US Open to the French Open title he won earlier this season.
World in Sport’s US Open 2026 preview began with an unusually open men’s draw and another Sabalenka title defence. Two weeks later, those themes have led to a finals weekend with plenty still at stake.
