Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina defeated Coco Gauff 3:6, 6:4, 6:4 in a semifinal at the 2026 US Open. The hard-fought victory propels Rybakina into her first-ever New York final and secures her the world number one ranking in women’s tennis.
Elena Rybakina is stepping into uncharted territory at Flushing Meadows. By overcoming a fierce challenge from the tournament crowd and fourth-seeded Coco Gauff, the Kazakhstani star punched her ticket to her first-ever US Open final.
The victory did more than simply advance her to the championship match; it officially guarantees that Elena Rybakina, the world number two, will claim the world number one ranking in the WTA standings when she officially becomes number one on Monday, edging past Aryna Sabalenka.
The match was a battle between 27-year-old Rybakina and 22-year-old Gauff. 1:1 was the head-to-head record of their prior meetings before today, with both previous matches having taken place on hard courts in Toronto. In 2022, the American won 6:4, 6:7 (8:10), 7:6 (7:3), while in 2026, also in three sets, the Kazakhstani player won 5:7, 6:2, 6:2.
How Rybakina Overcame a Slow Start and a Hostile Crowd
How Rybakina Overcame a Slow Start and a Hostile Crowd
The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd was unapologetically rooting for the American player from the opening game. That intense atmosphere seemed to rattle the second-seeded Rybakina early on, as she felt very unconfident in the first set on Arthur Ashe Stadium, racking up 18 unforced errors and managing just a single ace in the first set, compared to four for Gauff.
Gauff seized the opening frame 6:3 after breaking in the sixth game and winning two subsequent service games of her opponent to love, finishing the set without a trace of a break-back. But the momentum shifted in the second set as Rybakina managed to stabilize her game, reducing errors and gaining confidence. After making a break in the fourth game and confirming it to lead 4:1, the Kazakhstani player unexpectedly lost three games in a row to 4:4, but then managed to squeeze past Gauff, taking her service in the 10th game to win 6:4 and force a deciding third set.
The final set brought maximum tension. Overcrowded stands actively rooting for Gauff continued to rage in the deciding set, frequently shouting to disturb Rybakina’s serving. Yet Elena showed an iron will against the opponent, her fans, and herself to clinch the victory.
The tennis players spent 2 hours 10 minutes on the court (with sources also noting 2 hours 7 minutes and 2 hours 8 minutes). Rybakina hit five aces, committed two double faults, and converted four of six break points. On Gauff’s account, there were four aces, four double faults, and three converted break points out of five possible. Total points won ended 88:82.
Statistical Breakdown of the Semifinal Battle
Statistical Breakdown of the Semifinal Battle
| Metric | Elena Rybakina | Coco Gauff |
|---|---|---|
| Total Aces | 5 | 4 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 4 |
| Break Points Converted | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Match Duration | 2 hours 10 minutes | |
Reflecting on Gauff’s heavily scrutinized service game during her on-court interview in front of an expectant Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that had been unapologetically rooting for her opponent, Rybakina noted the sheer weight of her opponent’s shots:
Elena Rybakina stated that she felt the first set was still a good start, noting it was just one break and that naturally there were nerves, adding that Gauff is a great player and it is always tough to play against her, observing that even when the first serve does not go in, the second serve is so heavy that it is difficult to dictate the rallies. She mentioned that she was trying to talk positively to herself and told herself that she needed to fight and show good tennis. She also described the third set as very good, feeling that she got a little bit lucky on her opponent’s serve with a couple of deep returns and one mistake from her opponent that quickly turned things her way. Finally, she acknowledged that she knew the crowd wanted her opponent to win and that it was a real battle, but since it went her way, in the end she was simply trying to stay focused and aggressive and somehow won the match.
The Ultimate Showdown Against Aryna Sabalenka
The Ultimate Showdown Against Aryna Sabalenka
Standing between Rybakina and her second Grand Slam title of 2026 is top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian defending champion who won the tournament the two previous years in 2024 and 2025. Sabalenka secured her spot in the final with a 7:5, 6:2 victory over American Jessica Pegula.
Saturday’s championship match carries immense weight. The tournament is held on hard courts in New York (USA) as part of the Grand Slam calendar, featuring a total prize pool of $108 million. While Rybakina has already won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in January 2026, there is still a chance that Sabalenka could reclaim the world number one spot from Rybakina before the 2026 season finishes, starting with winning Saturday’s final.
Elena Rybakina remarked that Sabalenka is an unbelievable player who was playing really well that day, expressing her feeling that she definitely needs to step her game up and serve much better than she did in the semifinal. She emphasized that she needs to stay aggressive and go for her shots because whenever you play Aryna, you have to go for your shots. She concluded that she is going to enjoy the moment, feeling that she has already done the maximum at the tournament, especially considering she had doubted whether she would be able to achieve it there.
The decisive title match in the women’s singles draw — the 2026 US Open final — will take place on Saturday, September 12 (or on the night of September 12 to 13 at 01:00 Kazakhstan time).
