US Open WTA Semi-Finals | Elena Rybakina into showdown with Aryna Sabalenka after comeback Coco Gauff clinic
WTA
Elena Rybakina will face off against Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the 2026 US Open as the new World No.1 faces the current World No.1.
It also dents the chance of an all-American final with Jessica Pegula losing to Sabalenka earlier tonight. But unlike the straight sets tie, it was very much a different affair as Rybakina had to come back to down Gauff.
Gauff won the opening set 6-3 and had the advantage in the second, but it was Rybakina who hit back including a tense end to proceedings to win it 6-3, 4-6, 4-6 and she now gets her main rival again this weekend.
Gauff was frustrated at times early on but was also widely buoyed by the crowd. A first serve drifted wide on advantage and she produced a double fault. But an ace was the antithesis to this as she went 3-2 up on Rybakina in set one.
Gauff managed to break which was the catalyst to win the opening set. Gauff set the tempo in the rallies and took the aggression to Rybakina. Coming to the net, Rybakina poked a backhand volley long and Gauff was on break point. Her second serve was loose and Rybakina fired wide going 4-2 up.
Gauff consolidated and buoyed by the crowd, a smash winner saw her go 30-0 up and she disrupted a certain Rybakina winner which saw her then net as Gauff got three set points. She only needed one for an outstanding opening salvo leading 6-3.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan celebrates after defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, during round of 16 National Bank Open
Rybakina hits back
Albeit Rybakina herself then came back. She held relatively comfortably to begin the second set. Gauff got it to 15-15 but Rybakina soon shut down thoughts of continuing that momentum with a break. Rybakina missed a golden chance at 30-0 as she controlled the rally and had the shot to bring up three break points. But she put a backhand slice into the net.
Gauff hit an overhead smash to make it 40-30 before Rybakina went long and her chance of a break was widely snuffed out. But this was only for now as Gauff started to make more nervy errors and Rybakina stepped it up. The second seed brought up break point with a powerful backhand cross court and Rybakina sealed a first break of the match at 3-1.
She held easily and despite Gauff breaking back straight away and sealing parity, Rybakina held comfortably and this put her tail up to the point she broke again to seal the set.
Into a decider we went and Rybakina led, Gauff pulled a backhand wide and a tricky service opener was led by Rybakina. The nervy moments were coming though mainly for Gauff as Rybakina up 3-2 up in the decider had the chance to break. Down 0-30, Gauff put an overhead away at the net. Gauff made it 40-30, but Rybakina soon had her chance only to skew her backhand wide.
Gauff got away with it and made it 3-3. Rybakina held to love to continue her first serve record so far in this tie with a quick hold. But Rybakina after a forehand was hit wide by Gauff had a golden chance to break and took it sealing a 5-3 lead and was suddenly serving for it.
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But we were back on serve in the decider as Gauff continued to fight. Another first serve was in but Gauff's return was a sight to behold and Rybakina hit a backhand into the next. The crowd erupted on Arthur Ashe as Gauff managed to break back.
But their resolve didn't last long. Gauff let it slip again as Rybakina put away a volley at the net and it was 40-15 and after Gauff had fought back so valiantly, Rybakina sealed the win 6-4.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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