Aryna Sabalenková dethroned after 99 weeks: Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina became world number one for the first time

Elena Rybakina (left) and Aryna Sabalenka Elena Rybakina ended Zheng Qinwen’s US Open campaign with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 quarter-final win on Wednesday to become the new world No.1 for the first time in her career.Rybakina confirmed she will replace Aryna Sabalenkova at the top of the world rankings on Monday with victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen.The 27-year-old native of Kazakhstan came back after losing the first set to secure a place in the semi-finals, where she will face former US Open champion Coco Gauff for a place in the final.By reaching the semifinals, Rybakina was assured of replacing Aryna Sabalenkova at the top of the WTA rankings, even if Sabalenkova wins the US Open title.Rybakina is the first player from Kazakhstan, male or female, to become world number one in singles. She is also the 30th player in WTA history to achieve the highest ranking.Sabalenka’s run at world number one ends after 99 consecutive weeks. She has spent a total of 107 weeks at the top, and her 99-week streak is the sixth-longest consecutive reign in WTA history. As of October 21, 2024, she held the top spot in the rankings.Rybakina was one of Sabalenkova’s closest challengers throughout the season. She arrived in New York along with Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff as three players who could take over the top ranking. Both Pegula and Gauff needed to win the US Open title and hope Rybakina was eliminated before the semifinals.Gauff also reached the semifinals after saving two match points in a 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 win over 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the French Open champion of Russia.“Elena is the new world number one,” Gauff said. “It’s going to be a tough match. These are the moments you live for.”Rybakina is aiming for her third Grand Slam title after winning Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.The world number one is a milestone, but Rybakina said she remains focused on winning tournaments.“Now it’s just a number. My goal is to win the tournaments I play,” said the 27-year-old.“It’s an amazing achievement, but you know how quickly things can change in the tennis rankings.If both players win their semi-final matches, Rybakina and Sabalenkova could meet in the final of the US Open as they did at this year’s Australian Open, where Rybakina won in three sets. Sabalenková will face Jessica Pegula in the second semi-final.