Rybakina tops Gauff, sets up U.S. Open final with Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina defeated Coco Gauff to reach the U.S. Open final, securing the world No. 1 ranking in the process. She will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final match.
Why it matters
This match marks a significant shift in the WTA rankings and highlights the competitive landscape of professional women's tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka realized she was probably going to lose the No. 1 ranking to Elena Rybakina. There wasn't much she could do about that.
The U.S. Open trophy is a different story.
Rybakina can only take that away from Sabalenka by winning it on the court on Saturday (September 12, 2026), and the two-time defending champion showed in an overpowering display in the semifinals how serious she is about a three-peat — which would be the first at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams from 2012-14.
“I wanted badly to go to the finals, and of course I want to go all the way,” Sabalenka said.
Rybakina set up a matchup between the top two players in women's tennis by rallying past Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first semifinal, running away with the second set after they played largely even in the first.
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