Rybakina beats Gauff to claim world No. 1 and US Open final vs Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina rallied past Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach her first U.S. Open final. The victory also secured Rybakina the world No. 1 ranking, replacing Aryna Sabalenka after Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top. Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the other semifinal and will defend her title against Rybakina, whom she beat in the 2023 U.S. Open final but lost to at this year’s Australian Open. Saturday’s championship will be a clash between the top two players in women’s tennis, with Sabalenka seeking a third consecutive U.S. Open title and Rybakina pursuing her third Grand Slam.