US Open: Rybakina downs Gauff, sets up No.1 vs No.2 final with Sabalenka
US Open: Elena Rybakina fought back from a set down to beat Coco Gauff in a thrilling US Open semi-final. The world No. 1 will now face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster final between the top two players.
Elena Rybakina fought back from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gripping US Open semi-final. The Kazakh came through a high-octane battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach her first final at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina, who secured the world No. 1 ranking by reaching the last four, looked in danger of falling short when Gauff took the opening set. But the 27-year-old responded strongly, raised the level of her tennis and kept her composure through two increasingly tense sets to complete the comeback.
“It was just one break and, of course, there are nerves,” Rybakina said after the match, reflecting on the opening set.
“Even if sometimes her (Gauff) first serve doesn't go, her second one is so heavy that it's difficult to dictate the rallies,” she added.
Gauff made the brighter start and put Rybakina under pressure early, taking the first set 6-3. The American had arrived in the semi-final after saving two match points against Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals, but this time it was Rybakina who found a way back when the match began to turn.
RYBAKINA HOLDS HER NERVE
The second set remained closely fought, but Rybakina found the breakthrough she needed to take it 6-4 and force a decider. The momentum had shifted, yet the match remained finely balanced as both players looked to seize control.
Rybakina moved closer to victory in the final set, but the finish was far from straightforward. Gauff broke back when Rybakina was serving for the match, only for the world No. 1 to respond immediately and close out the contest.
“It was just a cool third set,” Rybakina said. “I got a little bit lucky on her serve. A couple of deep returns, one mistake from her and it went quickly my way.”
The victory marks Rybakina's deepest run at the US Open. She had not gone beyond the fourth round in seven previous appearances, but she has now followed an Australian Open title earlier this year with a chance to add another major trophy in New York.
NO.1 VS NO.2 FOR THE TITLE
Standing between Rybakina and the US Open trophy will be Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first women's semi-final. The defending champion will play in her fourth consecutive US Open final and is now one victory away from a historic third straight title at Flushing Meadows.
The final will therefore bring together the newly crowned world No. 1 and the player she has replaced at the top of the rankings. Sabalenka has already established herself as the dominant force in New York over the past two years, while Rybakina arrives with the Australian Open title and a chance to add another major trophy to her breakthrough season.
It promises to be a heavyweight final between two of the biggest hitters in women's tennis, with Rybakina chasing her first US Open crown and Sabalenka bidding to make history.