Rybakina downs Gauff, sets up No.1 vs No.2 final with Sabalenka

US Open: Elena Rybakina fought back from a set down to beat Coco Gauff in a thrilling US Open semi-final. The world No. 1 will now face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster final between the top two players.Elena Rybakina clinched a hard fought win vs Gauff in the semi final. (Photo: Reuters)Elena Rybakina fought back from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gripping US Open semi-final. The Kazakh came through a high-octane battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach her first final at Flushing Meadows.Rybakina, who secured the world No. 1 ranking by reaching the last four, looked in danger of falling short when Gauff took the opening set. But the 27-year-old responded strongly, raised the level of her tennis and kept her composure through two increasingly tense sets to complete the comeback.Gauff made the brighter start and put Rybakina under pressure early, taking the first set 6-3. The American had arrived in the semi-final after saving two match points against Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals, but this time it was Rybakina who found a way back when the match began to turn.The second set stayed fiercely competitive before Rybakina edged ahead 6-4 to level the contest. With the momentum shifting, the world No. 1 continued to apply pressure in the decider and eventually closed it out 6-4, ending Gauff's run and securing a place in Saturday's final. RYBAKINA TURNS THE TIDEThe result also adds another chapter to what has already been a breakthrough tournament for Rybakina. She had never progressed beyond the fourth round at the US Open in seven previous appearances, but this year she has put together her deepest run in New York and will now play for her third Grand Slam title of the season.Rybakina's route to the final has included a statement win over two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka, while she also came through a tough three-setter against Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals. Her victory over Gauff means she has now won two straight matches against the American after also coming from a set down to beat her in the Toronto semi-finals last month.NO.1 VS NO.2 FOR THE TITLE Standing between Rybakina and the US Open trophy will be Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first women's semi-final. The defending champion will play in her fourth consecutive US Open final and is now one victory away from a historic third straight title at Flushing Meadows.The final will therefore bring together the newly crowned world No. 1 and the player she has replaced at the top of the rankings. Sabalenka has already established herself as the dominant force in New York over the past two years, while Rybakina arrives with the Australian Open title and a chance to add another major trophy to her breakthrough season.It promises to be a heavyweight final between two of the biggest hitters in women's tennis, with Rybakina chasing her first US Open crown and Sabalenka bidding to make history.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 11, 2026 08:40 IST