2026 US Open Women's Final: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina

[the AntiPusher]

with the help of AI found two other long U S Open finals were:


The 1994 U.S. Open women's singles final lasted approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
In an unforgettable comeback, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario bounced back after dropping a blistering 22-minute first set to defeat the defending champion Steffi Graf 1–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4. [1, 2]
It stands as one of the longest and most competitive women's finals of the 1990s, marking Sánchez Vicario's first and only U.S. Open singles championship.


The 2012 U.S. Open women's singles final lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes. [1, 2]
In that match, Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka with a score of 6–2, 2–6, 7–5 to capture her fourth U.S. Open title. At the time, it was the first women's final to go to three sets since 1995 and was noted as the longest in time duration since 1981. [1, 2, 3]


so it appears the 2026 final, 2 hours 23 minutes, was also the longest.

It was a great match and Sabalenka hits some breathtaking shots. One day she is gonna realize that if she learns to harness some of that negativity with her attitude she can stay within the moment. I typically feel that Aryna looses matches because she cant stay out of her own way (Serena had plenty of matches like that) but this time she was beaten by the better and more powerful dominant player on the tour. Congrats Elena you earned it.

 

[Murat B.]

I think the second place speech is unnecessary. The loser should be allowed to go to the locker room immediately, unwind there. Give a presser later at some point . These people are human and they are very competitive. We are forcing them to lie through their teeth, fake graciousness. BUt we criticize them when they show what they truly feel.

 

[El Dude]

The longest Slam final I found was the 1988 Roland Garros final...

jk. That was 32 minutes.

 

[britbox]

Rybakina scrubs up pretty well.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

The longest Slam final I found was the 1988 Roland Garros final...

jk. That was 32 minutes.

Then I guess the 2nd shortest was the 2025 Wimbledon final...

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rybakina scrubs up pretty well.

good looking big Sister too

 

[the AntiPusher]

She is the QUEEN of New York.. Good for her.. the number 1 ranking plus the US OPen.. As Martin would say.. You Go Girl!! jajajjaja

 

[the AntiPusher]

You just gotta love this girl

 

[Vince Evert]

The longest Slam final I found was the 1988 Roland Garros final...

jk. That was 32 minutes.

yes that would have to go down as the greatest domination by a woman player, Graf defeats Zvereva , 6-0,6-0 at the french open in '88. Remember it well.
Natasha would get her revenge at Wimbledon ten years later, also she eliminated Seles there.

On her day, she was gifted shotmaker.

 

[Vince Evert]

She is the QUEEN of New York.. Good for her.. the number 1 ranking plus the US OPen.. As Martin would say.. You Go Girl!! jajajjaja

Agree, but what was the second vid all about? it just says not available in your country on my end !

 

[Vince Evert]

with the help of AI found two other long U S Open finals were:


The 1994 U.S. Open women's singles final lasted approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
In an unforgettable comeback, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario bounced back after dropping a blistering 22-minute first set to defeat the defending champion Steffi Graf 1–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4. [1, 2]
It stands as one of the longest and most competitive women's finals of the 1990s, marking Sánchez Vicario's first and only U.S. Open singles championship.


The 2012 U.S. Open women's singles final lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes. [1, 2]
In that match, Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka with a score of 6–2, 2–6, 7–5 to capture her fourth U.S. Open title. At the time, it was the first women's final to go to three sets since 1995 and was noted as the longest in time duration since 1981. [1, 2, 3]


so it appears the 2026 final, 2 hours 23 minutes, was also the longest.

UPDATE

I found the 1985 Mandlikova defeated Navratilova final, 7-6, 1-6, 7-6 was 2 hours 12 minutes.

Baring in mind that was serve-volleying dual by both players, so no long baseline rallies there.

Still researching the lengths on other US Open womens finals, but i think it's pretty obvious this years final breaks the 2012 Williams vs Azarenka, record.

 

[Kieran]

You just gotta love this girl

You know, in the first incident here, I hated hearing her coach get involved. This is why I hated the new on court coaching rule. Coaches should be seen, not heard.

 

[Vince Evert]

het @Vince Evert here is yo girl

Thanks. Actually yes i do like Arnya, the way she's worked on and improved her fitness over the last 4 years, but i find her antics and tattoo's cringeworthy (put it mildly).
Look forward to more, intriguing Arnya vs. Elena Grand Slam battles next year

 

[Vince Evert]

nice alternate view and atmosphere from the crowds on this video,

 

[Vince Evert]

The complete final now available on the official U S Open channel:

 

[the AntiPusher]

Sorry won't be around for the final. On my way out the door, so no live chat unless Baron is around. It will be extremely close like Oz, but Elena in 3. You gotta believe Saba will fight tooth and nail to hold this 3-peat. She's looking for a lil payback as Elena stopped her previous 3-peat in Oz.

I guess it fair to say that Elena is not going to be on Aryna's Xmas list or one of her IG followers..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay I watched the ladies final on holiday in Italy,

I was surprised that Elena played because of her foot problem and she arrived in NYC and had not practiced so kudos for her for making the final for starters.

Well we have all seen this movie before Aryna let her emotion take over because she wanted the title too much and spent too much nervous energy take her over also where was the game plan? there wasnt any

Elena's money shot was her wonderful bhand, and even though her first serve percentage was low, she defended her 2nd serve well all match, she deserved her title.

Sabalenka needs to go back and rehire the sports psychologist that she had 3 years ago that got her mental game controlled, all year in big matches that has been her downfall, she is too good of a player, as I said before, since she got engaged her game has gone backwards

My concern with Elena, is her ' consistency' when she wins a big title her form disappears, we saw that when she won the AO this year, hopefully that wont be the case for the rest of the year..

 

[the AntiPusher]

Okay I watched the ladies final on holiday in Italy,

I was surprised that Elena played because of her foot problem and she arrived in NYC and had not practiced so kudos for her for making the final for starters.

Well we have all seen this movie before Aryna let her emotion take over because she wanted the title too much and spent too much nervous energy take her over also where was the game plan? there wasnt any

Elena's money shot was her wonderful bhand, and even though her first serve percentage was low, she defended her 2nd serve well all match, she deserved her title.

Sabalenka needs to go back and rehire the sports psychologist that she had 3 years ago that got her mental game controlled, all year in big matches that has been her downfall, she is too good of a player, as I said before, since she got engaged her game has gone backwards

My concern with Elena, is her ' consistency' when she wins a big title her form disappears, we saw that when she won the AO this year, hopefully that wont be the case for the rest of the year..

I did not see the match this way.. Unlike the AO 25 final...Elena drove the bus in this encounter. Elena took control of the center of the court and as you mentioned she used her BH to create separation on the court.

As for Aryna, just like Iga who most of the top players have figured her out a few years ago, a lot of the players have learned to weather the Sabalenka's mental storm. Keep the ball in play and let her defeat herself because " she can't stay out of her own way". @MargaretMcAleer MM if you look at the two players, the big difference besides Aryna is a better mover around the court is Elena is a more fundamentally sound ball striker. Not even mentioning the serve which is near the Serena's prime level, Elena's bh is second only to CoCo's bh. I think Elena's coach has her hitting a fh earlier and making her reduce her height so she can get more spin on the ball especially rolling it crosscourt. I think Elena has more confidence and she has earned the title of #1 ranked player in the world. Just my two cents worth.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I did not see the match this way.. Unlike the AO 25 final...Elena drove the bus in this encounter. Elena took control of the center of the court and as you mentioned she used her BH to create separation on the court.

As for Aryna, just like Iga who most of the top players have figured her out a few years ago, a lot of the players have learned to weather the Sabalenka's mental storm. Keep the ball in play and let her defeat herself because " she can't stay out of her own way". @MargaretMcAleer MM if you look at the two players, the big difference besides Aryna is a better mover around the court is Elena is a more fundamentally sound ball striker. Not even mentioning the serve which is near the Serena's prime level, Elena's bh is second only to CoCo's bh. I think Elena's coach has her hitting a fh earlier and making her reduce her height so she can get more spin on the ball especially rolling it crosscourt. I think Elena has more confidence and she has earned the title of #1 ranked player in the world. Just my two cents worth.

Agree Elena controlled the centre court and we have both said in the past Saba cant stay out of her own way
Elena is a wonderful ball striker I saw that with my own eyes at the AO final this year
Elena does need more spin on the ball, also I would like to see her use spin on her serves especially on the clay
Agree Elena deserves the No 1 ranking
BTW I also love Amanda Anisimova's back hand one of the best in the tour
Good God AP we are agreeing too much I have to put a stop to that seeing I am back from holidays
BTW I still feel Saba would benefit for re hiring her sports psychologist, she is a player that runs highly on emotion and needs ways to control it, maybe players have worked her out, still she uses up too much 'emotional energy' in matches that leaves her mentally drained and she cant focus on a match, which has been evident this year, especially in big title matches

 

[the AntiPusher]

Agree Elena controlled the centre court and we have both said in the past Saba cant stay out of her own way
Elena is a wonderful ball striker I saw that with my own eyes at the AO final this year
Elena does need more spin on the ball, also I would like to see her use spin on her serves especially on the clay
Agree Elena deserves the No 1 ranking
BTW I also love Amanda Anisimova's back hand one of the best in the tour
Good God AP we are agreeing too much I have to put a stop to that seeing I am back from holidays
BTW I still feel Saba would benefit for re hiring her sports psychologist, she is a player that runs highly on emotion and needs ways to control it, maybe players have worked her out, still she uses up too much 'emotional energy' in matches that leaves her mentally drained and she cant focus on a match, which has been evident this year, especially in big title matches

The new @MargaretMcAleer MM ...the vacation really worked well for you.. Now if we can get @kskate2 Keli to say one nice thing about Elena.. jajaja just kidding Keli is the BEST!