Rybakina Reaches US Open Final, Sets Up Clash With Defending Champion Sabalenka
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
New York: Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina defeated American star Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a closely contested semi-final to reach her first US Open final. She will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match.
Rybakina, who is already assured of becoming the new world number one, will be aiming to win her third Grand Slam title. The Kazakh player defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year.
Rybakina Overcomes Gauff After Slow Start
Gauff made the stronger start at Arthur Ashe Stadium, using her defensive skills and consistency from the baseline to put Rybakina under pressure.
The American secured a break in the sixth game and eventually took the opening set 6-3 in front of a passionate home crowd that included former US first lady Michelle Obama.
Rybakina responded strongly in the second set, taking advantage of several errors from the fourth-seeded Gauff to level the match at one set apiece.
Kazakh Star Holds Her Nerve in Deciding Set
The third set turned into another intense battle, but Rybakina’s powerful groundstrokes helped her take control.
The 27-year-old moved ahead 5-3 after breaking Gauff’s serve. Although Gauff immediately responded with a break, she was unable to maintain the momentum and Rybakina broke again to seal the match.
Speaking after the victory, Rybakina admitted that she would need to improve her performance against Sabalenka.
“She’s an unbelievable player, she played really well today, so I definitely need to step up my game,” Rybakina said.
She added that improving her serve and maintaining an aggressive approach would be important in the final.
Sabalenka Defeats Pegula in Straight Sets
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the final with a convincing 7-5, 6-2 victory over third-seeded American Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka gradually found her rhythm and used her powerful hitting to take control of the match. Pegula struggled to contain the Belarusian’s attacking game, particularly in the second set.
“I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly,” Sabalenka said after securing her place in the final.
The result means Sabalenka will compete in the US Open final for the fourth consecutive year.
Sabalenka Chasing Historic Three-Peat
Sabalenka is now one victory away from winning the US Open for a third consecutive year.
If she achieves the feat, she would become only the third woman in the Open Era, which began in 1968, to win three successive US Open titles. Serena Williams last accomplished the achievement from 2012 to 2014, while Chris Evert is also part of the exclusive group.
The upcoming final will also be a rematch of the Australian Open final from January, giving Rybakina another opportunity to defeat the defending US Open champion on a major stage.
No American Woman Reaches a Grand Slam Final in 2026
Gauff’s defeat, combined with Pegula’s loss earlier in the day, means no American woman has reached a Grand Slam final during the 2026 season.
It is the first time since 2006 that no American woman has appeared in a Grand Slam singles final.
Rybakina, meanwhile, will enter her maiden US Open final with the world number one ranking already secured.
Men’s Semi-Finals Set for Friday
Attention will now turn to the men’s semi-finals on Friday.
Top seed Alexander Zverev will take on Russian Karen Khachanov in the first semi-final. Zverev will be looking to reach another Grand Slam final after a strong run in New York.
The second semi-final will feature an all-American contest between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, with the winner earning a place in the US Open final.
