Elena Rybakina secures spot in the U.S. Open semi-finals and is on track to claim the top spot in the women’s tennis rankings. She overcame a tough challenge from Zheng Qinwen with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory, securing her position as the new World No. 1 in the WTA rankings. Rybakina is set to face either Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals, while Aryna Sabalenka will take on Jessica Pegula in the other semi-final match.
Regardless of the outcomes of the upcoming matches, Rybakina is poised to end Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the rankings when the new rankings are unveiled next Monday. Expressing her focus on winning the tournament, Rybakina acknowledged the volatile nature of tennis rankings and emphasized the need to concentrate on her game and enjoy the journey.
In a late-night match that set a U.S. Open record for the latest finish, Rybakina faced challenges with the sun and shadows in Arthur Ashe Stadium due to the unusual timing of her match. Despite Zheng taking advantage of Rybakina’s initial struggles to secure an early break, Rybakina bounced back in the second set, dominating the match.
Zheng, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist from China, had to battle through the qualifying rounds to secure her spot in the main draw after dropping in the rankings due to elbow surgery. Zheng showcased her resilience by staging comebacks in previous rounds, including erasing significant deficits against tough opponents.
A crucial double fault cost Zheng the match in the third set, allowing Rybakina to qualify for her first U.S. Open semi-final. Reflecting on the match, Zheng acknowledged missed opportunities but expressed positivity about her overall performance at the tournament.
Rybakina only needed to reach the semi-finals to surpass Sabalenka in the rankings. With the upcoming semi-final matchups, the tournament remains full of excitement, with top-seed Alexander Zverev and other contenders vying for a spot in the finals. In women’s doubles, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani faced a disappointing exit in the semi-finals after a tense match against American duo Robin Montgomery and Ashley Krueger.
