New York (AFP) – Elena Rybakina ended Zheng Qinwen's spirited US Open run on Wednesday, guaranteeing her rise to world No. 1 as she booked a semi-final showdown with Coco Gauff.
Issued on: 10/09/2026 - 02:04Modified: 10/09/2026 - 04:33
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Rybakina beat Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and is assured of ending Aryna Sabalenka's reign atop the standings -- even if the Belarusian wins a third straight title."It's just a number right now," Rybakina said. "It's a different achievement ... but mostly you think about the titles in the end of the day."Therefore the 27-year-old Kazakh star will be focused on Gauff, who saved two match points in a 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 victory over Russian 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva, the fifth-ranked reigning French Open champion from Russia.Sabalenka will play third-seeded Jessica Pegula in Thursday night's semi-finals -- the first time since 1975 at the US Open that the top four women all made it to the penultimate round.Top-seeded Alexander Zverev completed the men's semi-final lineup, cruising past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1.
World number four Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after defeating reigning French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in a US Open quarter-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium © Patrick Smith / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
