Elena Rybakina defeated Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling U.S. Open semifinal on Thursday to secure a title clash with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday. The victory marks Rybakina’s third Grand Slam final appearance of the season and sets up a rematch of the 2024 Australian Open final, where Rybakina triumphed in three sets.
Sabalenka, the world No. 1, advanced to the final with a dominant 7-5, 6-2 win over Jessica Pegula, extending her hard-court Grand Slam final streak to eight consecutive appearances. The Belarusian now stands one win away from completing a rare third consecutive U.S. Open title, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014.
Rybakina’s Path to the Final
Rybakina rallied from a set down to defeat Gauff in a high-intensity match that lasted nearly two hours. Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, took the opening set 6-3 but struggled to maintain her momentum as Rybakina adjusted her game. The Kazakh broke Gauff’s serve twice in the second set to level the match before sealing the win with a break in the decider. Rybakina will officially replace Sabalenka as the world No. 1 on Monday, regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s final.
Speaking after the match, Rybakina downplayed the significance of the ranking change, emphasizing her focus on the title. "It’s an important match, and since it’s a final, I feel like it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side," she said. "I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself because we’re very close in the rankings. Even if something goes wrong in the final, I’ll still have other opportunities."
Rybakina credited her team for maintaining her strong form throughout the season, noting that consistency and experience have been key to her success. "There’s been a lot going on in the previous year outside of the court," she said. "I think now all of my focus is on tennis. Every day is a challenge, but we’ve been making the right decisions."
Sabalenka’s Dominant Run
Sabalenka’s semifinal win over Pegula showcased her resilience and power, with the Belarusian hitting 29 winners and seven aces. Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, started strongly but faltered as Sabalenka raised her level in the second set. "I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly," Sabalenka said. "I feel confident and mentally strong right now."
Sabalenka’s path to the final included a straight-sets win over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals, following a tough loss to Pegula in Berlin earlier this year. "I lost a tough match on grass against Jess, and I wasn’t performing well in the middle part of the season," Sabalenka said. "This feels like a last push of the season. I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course, I want to go all the way."
Gauff Reflects on Her Run
Gauff, who reached the semifinals in New York for the second consecutive year, acknowledged the difficulty of the loss but expressed optimism about her progress. "I think I played almost every match on my terms," she said. "I’m excited to keep putting in the work for another year or two and see where my game can take me."
Pegula, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title, took the defeat in stride, praising Sabalenka’s performance. "She played insane," Pegula said. "I honestly don’t know if she missed a backhand the entire match."
Key Matchups and Implications
The final will be a rematch of the 2024 Australian Open final, where Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in three sets. Both players have traded wins in their recent encounters, with Sabalenka winning the 2023 Australian Open final and Rybakina prevailing in their last meeting at the WTA Finals last year. Rybakina has also beaten Sabalenka in their most recent matchup at the 2025 Australian Open.
If Sabalenka wins on Saturday, she will become the first woman since Serena Williams to achieve a three-peat at the U.S. Open. A victory for Rybakina would mark her third Grand Slam title and solidify her position as the new world No. 1. The match is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, with the winner earning a historic achievement in women’s tennis.