Rybakina Reaches US Open Semifinal, Secures World No.1

NEW YORK: (Sports Desk) – Elena Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen in three sets on Wednesday to reach the US Open semi-finals and guarantee her rise to world No.1.

The Kazakh star fought back to beat Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, ensuring she will replace Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings even if the defending champion goes on to claim a third consecutive US Open title.

“It’s just a number right now,” Rybakina said, adding that while becoming world No.1 was a significant achievement, winning titles remained her main focus.

Rybakina, the first player from Kazakhstan to reach the top of the women’s rankings, will now face Coco Gauff for a place in the final.

Gauff survived a major scare against 19-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva, saving two match points before completing a 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 comeback victory. Andreeva entered the tournament as the reigning French Open champion and world No.5.

Gauff said she drew inspiration from Frances Tiafoe’s comeback victory over Alex Michelsen earlier in the tournament, telling reporters she had to reset and play without regrets.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka will face third-seeded Jessica Pegula in Thursday’s other women’s semi-final. It marks the first time since 1975 that the US Open women’s singles draw has sent all of the top four seeds into the semi-finals.

Rybakina is chasing her third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open in January, following her Wimbledon triumph four years earlier.

Zheng’s impressive US Open campaign came to an end despite her return from an eight-month absence caused by elbow surgery. The former world No.4, who had fallen to No.121, entered the tournament through qualifying and won seven matches in New York.

Her run included comeback victories over six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and former Australian Open winner Madison Keys.

Zheng made a strong start against Rybakina, using a powerful serve and varied shot selection to neutralise her opponent’s game. However, a dip in her level allowed Rybakina to take control in the second set.

The deciding set remained closely contested until Zheng missed an opportunity to break in the third game. Rybakina immediately capitalised, breaking serve in the following game before closing out the match.

“I got a lot of chances in the third set, but I didn’t take them,” Zheng said, while describing her US Open campaign as a positive experience.

In the men’s draw, top seed Alexander Zverev completed the semi-final lineup with a commanding 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp.

Zverev took control by winning the final five games of the opening set and then saved a set point late in the second before breaking his opponent to move two sets ahead.

The French Open champion then dominated the third set to secure a relatively comfortable victory after being pushed into lengthy five-set matches during the opening rounds.

Zverev will meet veteran Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals after the Russian advanced when Belgium’s Alexander Blockx retired while trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2.

Blockx, 21, had already struggled physically during his fourth-round victory over Francisco Cerundolo because of a rib injury. Against Khachanov, he played with one thigh heavily strapped and required medical treatment for a foot problem and lower-back pain.

“I think today my body just gave up,” Blockx said, acknowledging the physical demands of competing in Grand Slam tournaments.

Meta description: Elena Rybakina defeats Zheng Qinwen to reach the US Open semi-finals and secure the world No.1 ranking, where she will face Coco Gauff.