Sabalenka has already lost the world number one ranking before the US Open final

Sabalenka has been given “extra fuel” before Saturday’s final

The top ranking has already changed hands in New York. Rybakina secured it by reaching the semi-finals, so there is nothing Sabalenka can do in the final to reclaim it immediately. 

Even another Grand Slam title would see her leave the tournament as the world number two.

That may be exactly what Sabalenka needs, according to her coach Anton Dubrov. He believes the pressure of protecting the top spot had become an unnecessary distraction and that its loss could give her a fresh push.

"I actually like this [losing the ranking] happened. It's ended and it's extra fuel," Dubrov said. "There is no more extra draining [of mental energy] or thinking about it. There's a next chapter right now. You have to chase again."

Sabalenka has tried to brush off the change herself, joking that she does not care about the ranking. 

Former British number one Annabel Croft does not expect her to be quite so relaxed once she steps onto court.

"It is going to be red rag to a bull for her - she is not going to be happy," Croft told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Now she has the opportunity to end this year on a high."

Rybakina has one big win over Sabalenka to remember

There is already plenty of familiarity between the two finalists. Saturday's match will be their fourth encounter of the season, following three meetings that have produced victories for both players.

Rybakina took the first one, beating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final. Sabalenka then responded by defeating her at Indian Wells and Miami.

The stakes are even higher in New York, particularly for Sabalenka. She is bidding to complete a remarkable three-peat at Flushing Meadows, something no woman has managed since Serena Williams won the tournament three years running from 2012 to 2014.

Only two women have achieved the feat during the Open Era.

Sabalenka produced her strongest performance in months

Reaching this point has also required Sabalenka to overcome a difficult spell.

Despite entering the tournament as the two-time defending champion, she had spent months struggling to close out matches after taking control, repeatedly allowing winning positions to slip away.

Her semi-final against Jessica Pegula suggested that those problems may finally be behind her. Sabalenka produced her strongest performance for some time to reach the final, according to BBC Sport.

She therefore arrives at the biggest match of the tournament with more than another trophy on the line. 

Rybakina may have taken the number one ranking, but Sabalenka can still respond in the most significant way possible: by winning a third consecutive US Open title and adding another major achievement to her record.