Elena Rybakina defied a fervent Arthur Ashe crowd to clinch a remarkable comeback victory over American darling Coco Gauff, prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gripping US Open semi-final.
The Kazakh star’s resilience under the intense partisan atmosphere set the stage for a monumental clash with Aryna Sabalenka in the final, where a maiden US Open title awaits.
Gauff, buoyed by overwhelming home support, stormed through the opening set with an aggressive display, breaking early and consolidating her lead with emphatic holds to love. Yet Rybakina’s unyielding grit shone through as she clawed back in the second set, erasing Gauff’s advantage and seizing a late break to level the match. The decider saw Rybakina edge ahead with crucial points, weathering a late break from Gauff before sealing her spot in the final with a commanding finish, marking her fourth Grand Slam final appearance and first on New York’s iconic courts.
Reflecting on her triumph, Rybakina expressed her elation: “Amazing match. Very close match. Super happy, proud. So, yeah, I don’t know, I can’t find other words, but definitely very happy and proud.” Her victory was historic, as she became the first player in the Open Era to reach the US Open final after rallying from a set down in both quarter-final and semi-final rounds-a testament to her evolving mental and physical fortitude.
Credit was given to her support team for this breakthrough, with Rybakina acknowledging their role in her surge: “I think that now I have a very good team around me, good people, and it definitely helps… all my focus was on tennis.” She also candidly addressed the physical toll of the sport, noting, “No, I feel young, but my body, of course, throughout the years, some things are, let’s say, not going away completely… We always need to work, and that’s why the right people are important.”
The electric atmosphere at Arthur Ashe was unmistakably in Gauff’s favor, with the crowd roaring behind their home hope. Rybakina, unfazed by the partisan noise, maintained composure throughout. “A lot of people today wanted Coco to win, and it’s normal… I tried to focus on myself and tried not to listen,” she revealed, embracing the challenge of her first night match at the venue despite the crowd’s one-sided support.
Looking ahead, Rybakina prepares to face Sabalenka for the fourth time this year in a showdown laden with high stakes. Their rivalry is locked at five wins apiece, with Rybakina victorious at the Australian Open but Sabalenka dominant during the Sunshine Swing. “She’s a very aggressive player. It’s difficult to play with her mentally and physically,” Rybakina noted. “I will need to come with all the energy I will have, bring my best to serve against her, and make the right decisions in the right moment.”
Sabalenka enters the final on the back of a commanding semi-final win over Jessica Pegula, aiming for a third consecutive US Open crown. Meanwhile, Rybakina will also ascend to World No.1 next week, having secured the top ranking spot from Sabalenka earlier in the tournament. The final promises a breathtaking battle for both the title and supremacy atop the WTA rankings.
Rybakina’s measured approach under pressure and unwavering focus amid hostile support underscore her maturity and readiness to seize one of the sport’s most coveted trophies. “It’s an important match… I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself… We push each other when we play these matches,” she concluded, setting the stage for a titanic final at Flushing Meadows.