US Open: Rybakina downs Gauff, sets up No. 1 vs. No. 2 final with Sabalenko

Elena Rybakina fought back from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling US Open semifinal. The Kazakh battled through a high-octane battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach her first final at Flushing Meadows.

Rybakina, who secured the world number one ranking by reaching the last four, looked in danger of missing out as Gauff took the opening set. But the 27-year-old responded strongly, raising the level of her tennis and keeping her composure in two increasingly tight sets to complete the comeback.

Gauff started the sharper and put Rybakin under pressure early as he took the first set 6-3. The American reached the semi-finals after saving two match points against Mirra Andreev in the quarter-finals, but this time it was Rybakina who found a way back as the match began to turn.

The second set remained fiercely competitive before Rybakina took a 6-4 lead to level the match. With the momentum shifting, the world number one continued to apply the pressure and eventually closed it out at 6-4 to end Gauff’s run and secure a place in Saturday’s final.

RYBAKINA TURNS THE TIDE

The result also adds another chapter to an already breakthrough tournament for Rybakina. She has never advanced beyond the fourth round in seven previous US Open appearances, but has put together her deepest run in New York this year and will now go for her third Grand Slam title of the season.

Rybakin’s route to the final included a victory over two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka, while in the quarter-finals she went through a tough three-set against Qinwen Zheng. Her win over Gauff means she has now won two matches in a row against the American after she also came from a set down to beat her in the semi-finals in Toronto last month.

NO.1 VS NO.2 FOR THE TITLE

Standing between Rybakin and the US Open trophy will be Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first women’s semifinal. The defending champion will make her fourth consecutive US Open final and is now one win away from a historic third title at Flushing Meadows.

The final will therefore bring together the newly minted world number one and the player she replaced at the top of the rankings. Sabalenkova has established herself as a dominant force in New York over the past two years, while Rybakina arrives with an Australian Open title and a chance to add another major trophy to her breakout season.

It promises to be a heavyweight final between the two greatest players in women’s tennis, with Rybakina chasing her first US Open crown and Sabalenkova bidding to make history.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

11 Sep 2026 08:40 IST