Elena Rybakina Reaches US Open Final After Rallying Past Coco Gauff
Goldlaner.com – Elena Rybakina will play for the US Open title after overcoming Coco Gauff in a dramatic three-set semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 before a sold-out and heavily pro-American crowd.
The victory sends the Russian-born Kazakhstani into Saturday’s championship match against top seed Aryna Sabalenka. It also confirms Rybakina’s rise to the No. 1 position in the women’s rankings when the new standings are released Monday.
Gauff arrived in Thursday’s semifinal in outstanding form, having won 11 consecutive matches. The 22-year-old American began with the confidence and sharp serving that had powered that streak, taking the opening set 6-3 while former first lady Michelle Obama watched from the stands.
In the first set, Gauff did not face a break point and surrendered only four points behind her first serve. Rybakina, meanwhile, accumulated 18 unforced errors as Gauff used the crowd’s energy to establish early control.
Rybakina changes the match
The second set looked very different. Rybakina surged ahead 4-1 with a powerful start, demonstrating the form that has carried her to the top of the rankings. Gauff refused to let the match get away, recovering the break and leveling the set at 4-4 as the New York audience urged her forward.
But Rybakina steadied herself at precisely the right moment. She won the following two games to claim the set 6-4 and push the contest into a decider.
The final set remained close through six games, with the players tied at 3-3. Rybakina then found another gear, winning two straight games to move within one game of her first US Open final.
Gauff again created a late opening. She broke back to reduce the deficit to 5-4, releasing a roar as the Arthur Ashe crowd responded with sustained support. For a brief moment, momentum appeared to have swung back toward the American.
Rybakina, however, did not allow the comeback to continue. She sealed the match with a decisive break after Gauff sent an overhead beyond the baseline, ending the American’s run in the semifinals.
“I know you guys wanted Coco to win,” Rybakina said after the match.
Despite the difficult atmosphere, Rybakina praised her opponent and described the mindset needed to regain control after losing the first set.
“Coco, she’s a great player. It’s always tough to play against her. Even if sometimes her first serve doesn’t go, the second one is so heavy,” Rybakina said. “… Took a deep breath. Was trying to talk positive to myself and just told myself I need to fight and try to show good tennis.”
Rybakina will be seeking the third grand slam title of her career and her first at Flushing Meadows. Her route to the final has reinforced why she will enter the next week as the world’s leading player.
Sabalenka Extends Her Dominance in New York
Sabalenka booked her place in a fourth consecutive US Open final by defeating third seed Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the day’s first semifinal.
The two-time defending champion faced a demanding opening set against Pegula. Neither player was able to create much separation early, and the score stayed tight until Sabalenka produced a forceful return game to break Pegula’s serve and avoid a tiebreak.
After taking the first set 7-5, Sabalenka quickly built a 4-1 advantage in the second. Pegula fought to capture the sixth game, but frustration became visible after she lost the next one and threw her racket to the court.
Sabalenka completed the victory when Pegula could not return a strong forehand. The Belarusian has now won 19 matches in a row at the US Open, an extraordinary streak at a tournament where she has become the player to beat.
The 28-year-old captured the title in 2024 and 2025, after losing the 2023 final to Gauff. A win on Saturday would make her only the third woman of the Open era to win three consecutive US Open singles championships, alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
“Last time I played Jessica, it was almost impossible to get the win, so I am super happy to play such tennis in front of you all,” Sabalenka said. “Thank you for the atmosphere, and honestly guys, you are the best. Your respect to me is priceless and I know you wanted (Pegula) to win but thank you for being so respectful to me.”
Sabalenka also drew attention with custom jewelry during the match, including a vintage-inspired Material Good necklace she has previously described as stylish but easy to wear.
A Familiar Final Matchup
Saturday’s final brings together two players with extensive experience against one another. Rybakina and Sabalenka have met 17 times on the WTA Tour, and Rybakina has won their two most recent encounters, taking victories at the Australian Open and the WTA Finals.
The matchup presents a major test for Sabalenka’s pursuit of a historic third straight title and an equally important opportunity for Rybakina to add another grand slam trophy while celebrating her ascent to world No. 1. With both players arriving after emphatic semifinal responses to pressure, the championship match will feature two of the most accomplished hard-court competitors in women’s tennis.
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