NEW YORK, September 11: Elena Rybakina came from a set down to defeat American star Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach her first US Open final, keeping alive her bid for a third Grand Slam singles title.
Rybakina Fights Back After Losing First Set
Gauff made the stronger start at Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking the opening set 6-3 after breaking Rybakina in the sixth game.
Rybakina responded in the second set by increasing the pressure from the baseline and capitalising on errors from the American. She took the set 6-4 to force a deciding third set.
Deciding Set Goes Down to Key Service Games
The final set remained tight until Rybakina broke Gauff to move 5-3 ahead.
Gauff immediately broke back to keep the match alive, but Rybakina responded by breaking serve again in the next game to close out the victory and secure her place in Saturday’s final.
Sabalenka Awaits in US Open Final
Rybakina will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the other semi-final.
Sabalenka is chasing a third consecutive US Open title, while Rybakina is looking for her third Grand Slam crown after winning Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.
Rybakina Set to Become World No. 1
Regardless of the final result, Rybakina is already guaranteed to become the new WTA world No. 1 on Monday, replacing Sabalenka.
She will become the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach the top of the women’s singles rankings.
Gauff’s US Open Run Ends in Semi-Finals
The defeat ended Gauff’s bid for another US Open title after her 2023 triumph.
Her exit, combined with Pegula’s semi-final defeat, means there will be no American woman in a Grand Slam final in 2026, the first such season since 2006.
The Rybakina-Sabalenka final now sets up a high-profile clash between two of the most powerful players in women’s tennis, with a Grand Slam title and another major chapter in their rivalry at stake.
source – Reuters
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