We've got our prediction for today's US Open final, and honestly, it's the match the draw deserved. Sabalenka and Rybakina, the two best players in the world right now, meeting on the biggest stage. Who do you think takes it?
WTA US Open Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads 10-7
Seventeen meetings and Sabalenka has the edge, but this rivalry has never been one-sided on paper and it's never been comfortable in practice. Rybakina's serve is the most dangerous weapon in women's tennis right now, and on a fast hard court like Flushing, she can blow through service games so quickly that the match tempo shifts entirely in her favor. Sabalenka knows this better than anyone.
That said, Sabalenka is defending champion here and she's become so good at not panicking when things get tight, staying aggressive even when Rybakina's going for broke. The New York crowd tends to get behind her too, and that matters in a third set. I think the first two sets go one apiece and then it comes down to who handles the nerves better in the decider. Sabalenka's been there before on this court. That should make the difference, all things considered.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Marcin Cholewinski/ZUMA Press Wire