US Open 2026: women's final today — Blade vs VCORE

The US Open 2026 women's final is played today, Saturday, September 12, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and it needs no introduction: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina, the reigning No. 1 against the No. 1 of Monday. Two rackets, two opposite philosophies of the game — and both models are in our catalog.

Sabalenka and the three-peat nobody has signed since Serena

The Belarusian top seed is chasing what only two women have achieved in tournament history: three consecutive US Open titles. The last to do it was Serena Williams (2012-2014). To get there she dismantled Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals with a serving masterclass: 29 winners to the American's 12, 7 aces and 14 of 19 second-serve points won (sources: USOpen.org, Yahoo Sports). It is her fourth straight final at Flushing Meadows and her eighth straight hard-court Grand Slam final.

Her weapon is the Wilson Blade 98 — Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v10from 169,99 € in its tenth generation: 98 sq in, 323 g strung and the FORTYFIVE layup that doubles flex without losing stability. The classic formula for the aggressive baseliner who wants everything to come back. Wilson has also released a limited "US Open Edition" Blade 98 v10 inspired by Sabalenka (98 sq in, 305 g), the special paint job lighting up the Ashe these weeks (source: Wilson).

Rybakina and the VCORE 100 of the new No. 1

On the other side of the net, Elena Rybakina plays her first US Open final after coming back from a set down against Coco Gauff, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, silencing the New York crowd. And she does it with no ranking pressure: the world No. 1 will be hers on Monday, ending Sabalenka's 99-week reign — the thirtieth leader since 1975 (sources: USOpen.org, Sky Sports).

Her racket is the Yonex VCORE 100, 8th generation — Yonex VCORE 100 (8th gen)from 261,99 €: 100 sq in, 300 g strung, a 16x19 pattern and a build focused on aerodynamic spin (ISOMETRIC, Aero Trench, 2G-NAMD Flex Force) with which she hits flat and opens the ball at will. The same model used on tour by Paolini and Machac, strung with POLYTOUR FIRE (source: Yonex).

The technical keys of the Blade–VCORE duel

• Weight and balance: the Blade 98 v10 lists 323 g strung with a 330 mm balance; the VCORE 100, 300 g and 320 mm. The Wilson is heavier and loads mass toward the hoop — more plow-through on every shot; the Yonex is more maneuverable and quicker to prepare.
• Head size: 98 vs 100 sq in. The VCORE makes up for the extra head with an equally open pattern (16x19), which gives it more sweet-spot room and access to spin.
• Stiffness: 62 RA for the Blade vs 65 RA for the VCORE. The Wilson is more elastic and comfortable; the Yonex returns more energy with less effort.
• Style: the Blade is the aggressive-control racket — for the player who trusts their timing and swings full without the ball sailing. The VCORE is the modern-spin racket — for the player who builds with heavy, high-bouncing balls before finishing.

The head-to-head favors Sabalenka 10-7 across 17 meetings, but the last final between them went to Rybakina: this year's Australian Open, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 (source: USOpen.org). That stat breaks one way or the other today.

Meanwhile, in the men's draw

While the women's final is being played, the other men's semifinal, Shelton–Tiafoe, is being decided this very night in New York (Tiafoe has taken the first set), and its winner will play for the title on Sunday against Alexander Zverev, who beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6). The German thus reaches his second Grand Slam final of the year after winning Roland Garros (sources: USOpen.org, The Washington Post).