Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina to meet in a US Open final between the world's top 2 players

NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka is going for a third consecutive U.S. Open title. Standing in her way is Elena Rybakina, who is taking over for her as the No. 1-ranked women's tennis player in the world.

Sabalenka and Rybakina meet in the final on Saturday, their third time playing for a Grand Slam championship and 18th head-to-head matchup of their careers. It comes with them at the top of their games and the top of the sport after Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in straight sets and Rybakina rallied past Coco Gauff in the semifinals.

“We’re dealing with the two best players in the last couple of years on the women’s side,” former men's player Max Mirnyi, now part of Sabalenka's coaching team, said Friday. “Their results and their rankings and their titles speak for themselves. When they see each other across the net, I think that brings out the best in each one of them.”

Sabalenka entered the U.S. Open in a bit of a rut, failing to reach the quarterfinals in each of her past three tournaments, including an exit in the round of 16 at Wimbledon. The 28-year-old has looked right at home back in Flushing Meadows, losing just one set in six matches and making another deep run in dominant fashion.

“She’s in love with New York, I guess,” coach Anton Dubrov said with a laugh, noting Sabalenka's strength on hard courts and calmness in the chaotic environment of Arthur Ashe Stadium. “If she's in control of (her) energy, she’s pretty good.”

Sabalenka has been first in the WTA rankings since Oct. 21, 2024. Regardless of the result, that changes Monday, with Rybakina ascending to that spot for the first time.

Rybakina, 27, is one victory away from her third major title and second this year. She won the Australian Open in January, beating Sabalenka in the final.

“It’s an important match, and since it’s a final, honestly, I feel like it doesn’t matter who is on the other side,” Rybakina said after beating Gauff on Friday night. “You just want to win and do your best.”

Sabalenka has won 10 of her 17 matches against Rybakina, including two of three at Grand Slams. Rybakina is 4-2 when they've faced off in a final.

“She’s a very aggressive player: It’s difficult to play with her, mentally, physically because she has big game, big serve,” Rybakina said. “I will need to come with all the energy I will have, bring my best serve against Aryna and make the right decisions in the right moment because most of the times it’s (a) tight, tight score.”

Mirnyi believes Sabalenka has gotten better throughout the tournament. That was evident in her making quick work of the third-ranked Pegula 7-5, 6-2, in 80 minutes to reach her fourth U.S. Open final in a row.

So much for the concerns over Sabalenka's summer struggles.

“I feel confident, and I feel mentally and physically really strong right now,” Sabalenka said. “I keep the same routine. The last couple of months really teach me how to shut down the noise from outside. I think that’s what’s the meaning behind all of those tough lessons to finally learn how to stay focused on myself and forget about the outside noise.”

Much of that noise was about being — and losing — No. 1 status. Sabalenka's coaches see a benefit in having the situation settled.

“It’s extra fuel: ‘I have to prove who’s who,’” Dubrov said. “There’s a next chapter right now. You have to chase again. It’s extra motivation for you. Just go and get it.”

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns the ball to Coco Gauff, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, follows through on a shot to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

FILE - Elena Rybakina, left, of Kazakhstan, holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus, in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

ATLANTA (AP) — Cooper Rush will be the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback on Sunday at Pittsburgh after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out on Friday with an oblique injury.

Falcons first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday undrafted rookie Jack Strand will be the backup.

The late change in plans for the season opener came after Stefanski announced Monday that Tagovailoa will open the season as the starter and Michael Penix Jr. will be inactive. Penix did not play in a preseason game as he continues his recovery from a torn ligament in his left knee that ended his 2025 season.

Stefanski said Friday Penix was never an option for Sunday's game, even after Tagovailoa's injury.

“No. Mike will be ready when he's ready,” Stefanski.

The Falcons signed Rush on July 29 after Tagovailoa opened training camp with tightness in his lower back.

Rush, 32, has played in 42 NFL games, including 16 starts in eight seasons, seven with Dallas. The Cowboys went 4-4 in Rush's eight starts in 2024 and Baltimore was 0-2 in his two starts last season.

Rush will be asked to take over the offense after spending little time with the starters during training camp and the preseason.

“That’s the life of a backup quarterback,” Stefanski said. "There’s been great guys over the course of history that do an excellent job of staying ready so they don’t have to get ready and step in. The reason you’re able to do that is because you work so hard in the meeting room and on the practice field to stay up to speed.

“Now, in an ideal world, would you love to have gotten every rep? Of course. That’s a no-brainer. But, I do think there’s examples of guys that come in with no reps, and sometimes it’s after the first play, sometimes it is on play 59, whatever it is. And you’re expected to compete, and you’re expected to hold the standard of the room, in this case, the quarterback room. So Cooper’s been a backup in his career. He’s been the starter. He knows how to prepare.”

Tagovailoa bent over in obvious discomfort after throwing a pass during a portion of Thursday's practice open to media and grabbed his right side. He dropped to the ground for a few seconds before getting up and trying to shake off the injury. He was listed as a limited participant.

Stefanski wouldn't characterize the severity of Tagovailoa's injury or speculate if he might miss multiple games or Penix might be ready next week.

“Disappointed for him, obviously,” Stefanski said of Tagovailoa. “He’s a very competitive person, so disappointed. But he’s gonna rally behind Coop and do everything he can to help Coop.”

Stefanski said he couldn't remember having two top quarterbacks inactive for the opening game of a season. When a reporter suggested the scenario was unbelievable, Stefanski said “Not for me.”

Tagovailoa’s injury robs him of the opportunity to make his Falcons debut at Pittsburgh, the same spot where he made the last start of his rocky final season with Miami.

The Falcons also ruled out cornerback Billy Bowman (Achilles) and offensive tackle Cameron Williams (ankle). Defensive end Za’Darius Smith (shoulder) was listed as questionable.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks at a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)