From TechRadar · · 2m
Sabalenka vs Rybakina: the US Open final, and how to watch it
The world's top two meet in Flushing Meadows for a rematch of January's Australian Open final, and there's a free stream if you know where to look.
In brief
The world's top two meet in Flushing Meadows for a rematch of January's Australian Open final, and there's a free stream if you know where to look. The final starts Saturday 4pm ET on ESPN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK, but Australia's 9Now carries it free, reachable from anywhere with a VPN. Originally reported…
Top two, one court
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the two highest ranked women in the game, meet in the US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.
Saturday, 4pm ET
The final starts Saturday, Sep 12 at 4pm ET / 1pm PT / 9pm BST, which is 6am AEST on Sunday for anyone watching in Australia.
A January rematch
This is a replay of the Australian Open final. Rybakina won that one in three sets over more than two hours of back and forth tennis.
“a ding dong battle over the course of a gruelling three sets”
Rybakina took the ranking
Six and a half months after Melbourne, the Kazakhstan player has knocked Sabalenka off the top of the world rankings.
Neither had it easy
Rybakina went a set down to both Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng and came back each time. Sabalenka survived a third set tiebreak against Linda Noskova.
Australia watches free
9Gem and its streaming service 9Now carry the US Open free to air in Australia. You need a free account and a valid Aussie postcode, such as 3004.
A VPN unlocks any stream
Travelling means geo-blockers. A VPN makes you appear to be back home: install it, pick your country, then open your usual stream. TechRadar recommends Surfshark.
US: ESPN or Sling
ESPN Unlimited streams every match for $31.99 a month, or $35.99 bundled with Disney Plus and Hulu. Sling Essentials carries ESPN for $19.99.
UK: Sky Sports or NOW
Sky Sports packages start at £35 a month, or £22 for existing Sky TV customers. A NOW Sports day pass costs £14.99 if you only want the final.
Australia, NZ and Canada
Stan Sport adds full coverage for AU$20 a month. New Zealand gets ESPN via Disney+ from NZ$9.99. Canada is TSN only, with the final on TSN2.
Sabalenka leads 10-7
They have played 17 times. Sabalenka won the last two, at Indian Wells and Miami, after losing in Melbourne. They have never met at the US Open.
“This is the first time they'll play each other at the US Open.”
The essence
The final starts Saturday 4pm ET on ESPN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK, but Australia's 9Now carries it free, reachable from anywhere with a VPN.
