Elena Rybakina beats Zheng Qinwen to reach US Open semifinals and secure WTA world number one

Quarterfinal comeback in New York

Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down on Wednesday to defeat Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 14 minutes, reaching the US Open semifinals for the first time in her career. Zheng, the 2024 Olympic champion who entered the tournament ranked 121st after navigating qualifying rounds and defeating Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, took the opening set under daytime heat in New York. Rybakina responded by conceding a single game in the second set to level the contest. In the deciding set, Rybakina saved a break point and broke Zheng's serve at 4-4 before serving out the match.

It was a difficult match. I did not start very well, I was too negative.

Ascent to the top of the WTA rankings

The quarterfinal victory ensures that Rybakina will officially become the world number one when the WTA rankings update on Monday. She will replace Aryna Sabalenka, who had held the top spot since October 2024. Rybakina entered Flushing Meadows as the sole contender who controlled her own ranking destiny, whereas Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff needed to win the tournament alongside an early loss by Rybakina. At 27 years and 89 days old, Rybakina becomes the 30th woman to hold the top ranking since the WTA introduced its ranking system in November 1975, and the second-oldest first-time leader behind Germany's Angelique Kerber (28).

For now it is only a number. I am in the semifinals and my goal is to win the tournament.

Overcoming injury before Flushing Meadows

Rybakina reached the semifinal stage after managing a physical setback that threatened her participation in the tournament. She had previously missed a chance to claim the top ranking when a left ankle and heel ailment forced her to retire during the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati. The injury disrupted her training schedule and left her status uncertain until the eve of the tournament. Prior to the meeting with Zheng, Rybakina had navigated four rounds without dropping a set, including a straight-sets victory over former world number one Naomi Osaka, improving on her previous personal best of reaching the fourth round in New York.

No, in reality a lot of things happen in there. Those who know me are able to perceive it.

Semifinal matchups in New York

Rybakina will face fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff in the semifinals on Thursday. Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, advanced after overcoming a set deficit against Russian fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, winning 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 while saving two match points during the second-set tie-break. Andreeva, coached by Conchita Martínez, had served for the second set at 5-3 before Gauff mounted her comeback. The opposite side of the draw features Sabalenka, who is pursuing a third consecutive tournament title, against American Jessica Pegula. Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026, enters the match seeking her fourth career Grand Slam final.