Rybakina beats Gauff to reach US Open final as new world No. 1

Elena Rybakina made history this week as the first athlete from Kazakhstan to reach the top of the WTA singles rankings, then backed it up by powering into the US Open final with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 comeback victory over Coco Gauff on Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.reuters+1

The 27-year-old will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final, with a chance to claim her third Grand Slam title and second of the year.wtatennis

A Historic Week at Flushing Meadows

Rybakina clinched the No. 1 ranking on Wednesday after defeating China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals, ending Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top. She will become the 30th woman to hold the No. 1 ranking when the updated WTA standings are released on Monday, September 14.astanatimes+2

The run is all the more notable given Rybakina suffered a leg injury at last month's Cincinnati Open that forced her to withdraw and kept her off the practice court for a week.china

"Anything is possible when you believe! Proud to represent Kazakhstan and make history as the country's first world number 1," Rybakina wrote on Instagram Meta Platforms, Inc. ↗ 0.57% after securing the ranking.astanatimes

Praise From a President

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was quick to congratulate Rybakina, calling her ascent "the pinnacle of sporting excellence, achieved through phenomenal talent, hard work, and unwavering self-belief".timesca+1

Kazakhstan Tennis Federation President Bulat Utemuratov called it "a tremendous victory for Elena and a historic day for Kazakhstani tennis," adding that her success would inspire a younger generation of players.china

Eyes on a Third Slam

Rybakina, who was born in Moscow and switched to represent Kazakhstan in 2018, has enjoyed a remarkable stretch that includes the 2025 WTA Finals title and the 2026 Australian Open crown, four years after her breakthrough Wimbledon triumph. Saturday's final against Sabalenka will be a rematch of this year's Australian Open final. Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman to win three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014.wtatennis+1