Aryna Sabalenka arrives at the 2026 US Open with a chance to do something no woman has done since Serena Williams: win three consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows. The top-ranked Belarusian has been the tournament’s most consistent performer over the past two years.
## Chasing History
Sabalenka has already established herself as one of the most dominant hard-court players of her generation. A third straight US Open crown would place her in exclusive company and further separate her from the rest of the current WTA field.
## The Competition Standing in Her Way
– Coco Gauff arrives with fresh momentum after her Cincinnati Open title over Jessica Pegula
– Jessica Pegula herself has been in strong recent form, including a run to the Cincinnati final
– Depth on the WTA tour means no path to the title is guaranteed, even for the top seed
## A Season of High Stakes
Sabalenka’s three-peat bid is unfolding alongside a record prize pool for the tournament, adding financial as well as historical stakes to every round she plays. Her rivalry with Gauff in particular has produced some of the sport’s most compelling matches over the last two seasons, and a potential meeting in New York would be one of the most anticipated matchups of the fortnight.
## What a Win Would Mean
A third consecutive title would cement Sabalenka’s place among the greats of the modern WTA era and draw direct comparisons to Serena Williams’ own US Open dynasty. For more on the American challenger standing in her way, read our breakdown of Coco Gauff’s Cincinnati Open run heading into New York. Whatever happens, Sabalenka’s title defense is the storyline to watch on the women’s side of the draw.