World No. 1 Elena Rybakina came from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the 2026 US Open women’s semifinals to set up a blockbuster final against Aryna Sabalenka. The Kazakh produced a gritty
comeback on Arthur Ashe Stadium silencing a loud crowd who were supporting the American, that included Michelle Obama. Gauff started strongly, breaking in the sixth game of the first set and closing it out 6-3 with clean hitting and solid serving. Rybakina looked a little vulnerable early, committing too many unforced errors against the American’s athleticism and defense.
Everything shifted in the second set as Rybakina cut down the mistakes, found her range with her powerful serve and flat groundstrokes, and broke early to lead 4-1. Coco fought back to 4-4, but a couple of errors and a double fault in the tenth game handed the Kazakh the set 6-4. The momentum had fully swung. The third set was once again tense. World No. 1 broke to go 5-3 and served for the match, only for Gauff to produce a brilliant backhand passing shot and break back to 5-4. However she was immediately broken back and Rybakina won the third set 6-4 and sealed her place in the Final of the 2026 US Open. Sabalenka had earlier beaten Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 and is chasing a third straight US Open title.
Elena Rybakina books her ticket into her first US Open final! pic.twitter.com/HBDTVBi16U
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2026
“I Got a Little Bit Lucky”: Rybakina Admits Key Moments Went Her Way in Gauff Win
Elena Rybakina made her way to the Final of the US Open after a thrilling win against Coco Gauff. She later admitted that she felt a bit lucky on a couple of key points in the third set but was pleased with the fight she showed against both Gauff and the crowd. The American’s forehand let her down at key moments late, though she showed the same resilience that had carried her through the tournament. The World No. 1 now faces Sabalenka in Saturday’s final which will be a rematch of their Australian Open title clash, with the new No. 1 ranking already secured and a chance at a third Grand Slam title on the line.
“I took a deep breath and just told myself I needed to fight and show good tennis. It was such a close third set, and I feel like I got a little bit lucky on her serve. A couple of deep returns, one mistake from her, and it went quickly my way. I know you guys wanted Coco to win, but it was a real battle. A few moments went my way and in the end, I tried to stay focused and aggressive and win the match,” Rybakina said.
Speaking about facing Sabalenka in the final, the World No. 1 said, “She’s an unbelievable player, she played really well today, so I definitely need to step up my game. I must serve better than I did today and stay aggressive. She’s a very aggressive player. It’s difficult to play with her, mentally, physically, because she has big game, big serve. I will need to come with all the energy I will have, bring my best serve against Aryna and make the right decisions in the right moment, because most of the times it’s tight, tight score.”
Regardless of the result in the Final, the Kazakh player is set to remain as the world No. 1 on Monday after ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top earlier this week. This will also be the first time that the top-two seeds will be playing in the final in New York since 2013. Rybakina is now one win away from her third Grand Slam title.
