By advancing to the final four in New York, Rybakina has guaranteed her place at the top of the rankings, effectively ending Aryna Sabalenka’s tenure as the world’s top-ranked player. This milestone marks the first time a player from Kazakhstan—male or female—has reached the summit of the sport, making Rybakina the 30th woman in history to achieve the feat.
A Semifinal Showdown Against Coco Gauff
The victory sets the stage for a blockbuster semifinal encounter against 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff. Gauff secured her own spot in the final four after a dramatic turnaround against 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva, rallying from a set down and saving two match points to win 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2. Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Gauff acknowledged the significance of facing the newly minted world number one, noting that such high-stakes matches are exactly what players strive for.
For Rybakina, the focus remains firmly on the pursuit of a third Grand Slam title. Having already claimed victories at the Australian Open earlier this year and Wimbledon four years ago, she remains grounded regarding her new ranking. “It’s just a number right now,” Rybakina remarked. “It’s a different achievement, but mostly you think about the titles at the end of the day. I feel like you will appreciate and think about it even more when you finish your career. Like now, you still need to keep on going.”
Tournament Developments and Men’s Quarterfinals
Zheng Qinwen’s exit concludes an impressive run for the 23-year-old, who had battled back from a ranking of 121 following an eight-month layoff due to elbow surgery. Despite her disappointment in failing to convert crucial opportunities in the third set, Zheng expressed optimism about her performance, which included notable wins over Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys.
Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, Karen Khachanov moved into the semifinals after his opponent, Alexander Blockx, was forced to retire due to physical struggles. Blockx, who had been managing multiple injuries throughout the tournament, trailed 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 when he withdrew. Khachanov will await the winner of the quarterfinal match between top seed Alexander Zverev and Botic van de Zandschulp. Zverev, the reigning French Open champion, is aiming for his first US Open semifinal appearance since 2021, while Van de Zandschulp continues to pose a significant threat after a series of upsets earlier in the tournament.
