Elena Rybakina has booked her place in the US Open semi-finals after fighting back to defeat China’s Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarter-finals.
The victory also guarantees Rybakina the world No.1 ranking, ending Aryna Sabalenka’s long spell at the top of the women’s game. The Kazakh will officially take over the position in next week’s rankings.
Rybakina struggled early against Zheng but quickly turned the match around, dominating the second set before maintaining her momentum in the decider to complete the comeback.
The result also marks Rybakina’s first appearance in the US Open semi-finals and the fifth Grand Slam semi-final of her career.
She will now face American star Coco Gauff for a place in the final. Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, also had to battle back from a difficult start before defeating fifth seed Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2.
Gauff saved two match points during the second-set tiebreak before taking control of the deciding set.
The upcoming semi-final promises another competitive encounter, with Rybakina and Gauff having split their previous two meetings. Rybakina won their most recent clash in Canada last month.
Rybakina’s rise to the top of the rankings caps a remarkable season for the 27-year-old, who has already won the Australian Open and Wimbledon during her career.
Meanwhile, the other women’s semi-final will see current world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka face American third seed Jessica Pegula.
