Elena Rybakina staged a comeback from a set down to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling US Open semi-final. The Kazakh player survived an intense contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach her maiden final at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina, who secured the world No. 1 ranking by making the last four, appeared to be in trouble after Gauff won the opening set. However, the 27-year-old responded impressively, elevated her level and maintained her composure through two increasingly tense sets to complete the turnaround.
“It was just one break and, of course, there are nerves,” Rybakina said after the match while discussing the first set.
She added that even when Gauff’s first serve is not working, her second serve remains powerful enough to make it difficult for opponents to control the rallies.
Gauff started the match strongly and immediately put Rybakina under pressure, taking the opening set 6-3. The American had reached the semi-final after saving two match points against Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals, but this time Rybakina managed to find her way back as the contest shifted.
RYBAKINA HOLDS HER NERVE
The second set remained tightly contested, but Rybakina eventually found the opening she needed and won it 6-4 to take the match into a deciding set. Although the momentum had swung in her favour, neither player was able to establish complete control as the battle continued.
Rybakina moved within touching distance of victory in the third set, but closing out the match proved difficult. Gauff managed to break when Rybakina was serving for the match, only for the world No. 1 to immediately respond and finish 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 win represents Rybakina’s best-ever performance at the US Open. She had failed to advance beyond the fourth round in her previous seven appearances, but she has now followed her Australian Open triumph earlier this year by reaching the final in New York, giving herself another opportunity to claim a Grand Slam title.
NO.1 VS NO.2 FOR THE TITLE
Rybakina’s final opponent will be Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the opening women’s semi-final. The defending champion has reached her fourth consecutive US Open final and is now one win away from securing an unprecedented third straight title at Flushing Meadows.
The championship match will feature the newly crowned world No. 1 against the player she has displaced at the top of the rankings. Sabalenka has dominated the New York tournament over the past two years, while Rybakina enters the final having already won the Australian Open and now has an opportunity to add another major title during a breakthrough season.
The final sets up a heavyweight showdown between two of women’s tennis’ most powerful players, with Rybakina seeking her first US Open championship and Sabalenka aiming to create history.
