Aryna Sabalenka conceded it feels "a little bit weird" to no longer be the world number one, despite reaching her fourth consecutive US Open final.

The two-time reigning Flushing Meadows champion remains on course for a three-peat, following a straight-sets victory over Jessica Pegula.

However, Sabalenka has surrendered her 99-week hold on top spot in the WTA rankings, with Elena Rybakina, who the Belarusian will face in the US Open final, set to replace her at the summit on Monday.

Sabalenka is now focused on how she can improve to put herself in a position to return to the head of the rankings.

"I really understand how tough it is to reach world number one," she said. "It's a lot of work.

"Yes, that was one of my goals, but right now, there's not much I can do. Elena took it over and played really well. She took away the number one position.

Next stop for Aryna Sabalenka: Saturday's women's singles finalpic.twitter.com/6nQ3GhArvA

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"I can only focus on myself and just stay in the moment, and try to do my best right now just so I keep it tight. Maybe I will take it back from her.

"It does feel a little bit weird. You can perform well in the tournament, but still have the number one position taken away. That's the beauty of sport, right? Everyone is chasing everyone. It's all about little things that you improve and you get better at." 

Four-time major winner Sabalenka has now reached each of the last eight hard-court major finals, including this year's Australian Open showpiece, in which Rybakina got the better of her.

"It's going to be a really tough match," Sabalenka said of Rybakina.

"She's a big server. She has really improved over the years on the baseline game, so it's going to be a physically and mentally tough match. 

"But I'm ready for the fight. I'm ready to do everything to get the win."