Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will meet in Saturday's US Open final, a match with extra significance because Rybakina's run to the semi-finals already guarantees she will replace Sabalenka as world number one, ending the Belarusian's 99-week reign at the top. Rather than being demoralised, Sabalenka and her team say losing the ranking has given her fresh motivation, with pundits suggesting the setback will act as a "red rag to a bull" for a player desperate to end the year strongly.

Sabalenka is bidding to become only the third woman in the Open era to win three consecutive US Open titles, having looked shaky in the build-up after a run of losses from winning positions, including a collapse against Diana Shnaider at the French Open. Her semi-final win over Jessica Pegula was described as her best performance in months. Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka in this year's Australian Open final and has already assured herself the top ranking, overcame an ankle injury sustained in Cincinnati to reach the final, cruising through her first four matches on the back of a dominant serve.