US Open: Aryna Sabalenka to face Elena Rybakina in final

It's been 12 years since a player lasted the three-peat at Flushing Meadows, but Irina Sabalenka is on the verge of resetting the clock. The Belarusian was up against Jessica Bagula in the semi-final, and for the third straight year in New York, she frustrated her American opponent. The first 10 games were tight, but the second set told a different story, earning the respect of the partisan crowd as she hopes to become the first player since Serena Williams in 2014 to lift the trophy three times in a row. But Sabalenka will face a familiar opponent in the decider, and one which has already taken away her top ranking. Elena Rybakina will officially be the new world number one next week, having reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows. But she's also targeting her first US Open crown. It wasn't an easy semi-final encounter against Coco Gauff, the American clinching the first set. But Rybakina put up a fight to level the match, before booking her place in the final 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. I think it was a really battle, and as I said, a few moments really went my way, and in the end, I mean, I was just trying to still be focused, try to stay aggressive, and somehow won the match. Another match win on Saturday would give Rybakina a second major title this season. The first came against none other than Arina Sabalenka at this year's Australian Open.