Elena Rybakina advanced to the US Open final after defeating Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday, setting up a championship clash against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows in New York. The title match pits the incoming world number one against the reigning titlist in a high-stakes showdown.
Sabalenka Drives Past Pegula with Power on Arthur Ashe
Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the championship match with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over American third seed Jessica Pegula on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. According to match reports, the Belarusian player relied on heavy serving and baseline power to subdue Pegula in a contest featuring few extended rallies. Sabalenka saved the only break point she faced, finishing the encounter with precise groundstrokes that forced unforced errors from her opponent. A star-studded crowd watched from the stands, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Brazilian footballer Ronaldo, and Spanish singer Rosalia.
“This season, notably at the beginning, I played a lot of incredible matches, at a very high level, but today I really very well played, and I had the impression that whatever decision I was making, it was the good one,” Sabalenka said after the semifinal.
Rybakina Overcomes Early Nerves Against Gauff
In the other semifinal, Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and eight minutes. Gauff claimed the opening set by applying early pressure, capitalizing on unforced errors as Rybakina struggled to find her rhythm. The turning point arrived in the second set when the Kazakhstani player adjusted her tactical approach, capitalized on a string of mistakes from the American 2023 champion, and secured crucial breaks.
“I was nervous. It was always delicate to play against Coco. But I ended up taking a long breath, trying to tell myself positive things,” Rybakina explained regarding her slow start.
The victory guaranteed that Rybakina will claim the world number one ranking in the WTA standings following the conclusion of the tournament.
A Rivalry Renewed for the New York Trophy
The final represents a high-profile rematch of the Australian Open final earlier in the season, where Rybakina defeated Sabalenka. However, Sabalenka rebounded during the North American hard-court swing in March, winning their subsequent encounters in the final at Indian Wells and the semifinals at Miami.
Looking ahead to the matchup, Sabalenka acknowledged her opponent’s capabilities, describing her as a formidable server. Rybakina countered by praising the defending champion as an incredible player who demands a high-aggression approach from the baseline. Sabalenka enters the match aiming for a triplé, a feat not accomplished in New York since Serena Williams, invaincue between 2012 and 2014.
Tournament Schedule and How to Follow
The women’s singles final takes place at Flushing Meadows, with tournament coverage broadcast globally by official Grand Series right-holders and streaming services. Fans can follow live updates and official tournament statistics directly from the official US Open website.
Related reading
