Elena Rybakina Rallies Past Coco Gauff to Set Up US Open Final Against Aryna Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina overcame a first-set deficit to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and will face two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final.

Elena Rybakina advanced to the US Open final on Thursday night by defeating Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Despite Gauff recording four aces to Rybakina's one in a 38-minute opening set, Rybakina recovered from a 4-all tie in the second set to force a decider. By reaching the semifinals, Rybakina clinched the WTA No. 1 ranking, which she will officially take from Aryna Sabalenka on Monday after Sabalenka held the position for 99 consecutive weeks.

Sabalenka secured her place in the championship match with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Jessica Pegula. The two-time defending champion produced 29 winners compared to Pegula's 12 and won 14 of 19 points against Pegula's second serve. During the second set, Sabalenka broke for a 3-1 lead by returning a 77 mph second serve with a 90 mph forehand winner. Sabalenka has now won 19 consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows, dating back to her loss in the 2023 final.

Saturday's title clash between the top two seeds marks the first time since 1975 that all top four seeds reached the women's semifinals in New York. Rybakina previously defeated Sabalenka at the Australian Open to begin the season. Sabalenka is currently attempting to become the first woman to win three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams achieved the feat from 2012 to 2014.