Rybakina, who will become the 30th woman to hold the top spot since the
A Hard-Fought Comeback
The match began with Rybakina struggling to adjust to the conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium, specifically the sun and shadows on the court. Zheng, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist, capitalized on these early difficulties to secure the only break of the match against Rybakina's serve, eventually closing out the first set 6-3. However, the momentum shifted decisively in the second set, which Rybakina dominated in just 38 minutes to force a decider.
The final set remained tense until a critical double fault from Zheng allowed Rybakina to take a 5-4 lead. Rybakina successfully served out the match to reach her first US Open semifinal. Reflecting on her achievement, Rybakina noted that while reaching the top ranking is an amazing accomplishment, her primary goal remains winning the tournament. She acknowledged the rapid nature of tennis rankings and emphasized the importance of recovery and maintaining focus on her performance.
Tournament Context and Rankings
Rybakina entered the US Open knowing that reaching the final four was the requirement to guarantee her rise to the top of the rankings. Had she been eliminated earlier, other contenders including Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, or Gauff could have claimed the top spot by winning the title. This result ends Sabalenka's 99-week tenure at the number one position.
For Zheng, the defeat concludes a remarkable run at Flushing Meadows. After undergoing elbow surgery that saw her ranking drop to 121, she navigated the qualifying tournament to reach the main draw. Despite the quarterfinal exit, her performance in New York is expected to move her back into the top 60. The US Open now features a rare semifinal lineup, marking the first major tournament since the 2013 French Open to have all four top seeds reach the final four.
