Elena Rybakina rallies to US Open semifinal and will become WTA No.1

Elena Rybakina completed a dramatic turnaround to reach the US Open semifinals on September 9, 2026, and with that victory she will become world No. 1 for the first time starting Monday. The Kazakh player defeated Qinwen Zheng 3:6, 6:1, 6:4 in a quarterfinal that swung wildly after a tight opening set.

From early trouble to late control

Zheng dominated the first set, converting a crucial break to lead 5-3 and then surviving a marathon rally in which she saved five break points in a game that lasted about 15 minutes before closing the set 6-3. The momentum shifted completely in the second set, when Zheng’s first-serve percentage dropped to just 35 percent and Rybakina converted that weakness into two breaks to take the set 6-1.

The deciding set produced the biggest drama. At 4-3, Zheng had a break point that could have swung the match back in her favor, but Rybakina landed a line-clip on her second serve and followed it to the net, where Zheng erred and Rybakina took the game. In the next game Rybakina earned three break points; Zheng saved the first three with aggressive play but double-faulted on the fourth, giving Rybakina the chance to serve for the match.

Rybakina held serve confidently to seal the comeback and book a place in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows. The win also assures that she will succeed Aryna Sabalenka atop the WTA rankings when the list is updated on Monday.

Rybakina now aims to add a third Grand Slam title in New York, while Zheng’s powerful start will be remembered for the early intensity and the marathon game that highlighted the quarterfinal.

Photo: press material from the event