The US Open women’s singles title will be decided by a rivalry that has increasingly come to define the modern hard-court game, but before Elena Rybakina could book her place in the final, she had to survive the full force of Coco Gauff under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Kazakhstani, already assured of becoming the new WTA world No. 1 by reaching the semifinals, completed the second half of her takeover on Thursday night, fighting back from a set down to defeat fourth seed Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach her first US Open final. She will meet defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s championship match. For Rybakina, the victory was less about overwhelming her opponent and more about surviving Gauff’s early assault before gradually turning the match on its head.
Gauff looked every bit the player who had arrived in New York with belief and momentum. The 2023 US Open champion produced a strong opening set, combining her trademark movement and backhand with an improved serve and greater willingness to attack with her forehand. She also held the edge in aces in the opening set, striking four to Rybakina’s one.
Rybakina, however, refused to panic. The second seed tightened her game in the second set, reduced her errors and began putting greater pressure on Gauff’s service games. She moved ahead 4-1 before Gauff fought back to level at 4-4, only for Rybakina to find another break at the crucial moment and force a deciding set. The final set became a test of nerve as much as tennis. Rybakina eventually broke to move within sight of victory, but Gauff produced one final surge. With the American facing defeat while Rybakina served for the match at 5-4, Gauff broke back to send the crowd into another frenzy. The comeback, however, lasted only moments.
Rybakina immediately regained control, winning four straight points on Gauff’s serve to earn match point. The American then sent an overhead long, bringing an end to a contest that had swung dramatically in momentum. The statistics reflected Rybakina’s ability to find another level when it mattered. She won 76 per cent of points behind her first serve, compared with Gauff’s 58 per cent, and in the deciding set surrendered just two points on first serve.
The victory also ended Gauff’s 11-match winning streak, which stretched back to her title run in Cincinnati. A final with more than a trophy at stake. Rybakina’s reward is a familiar opponent in Sabalenka, who earlier on Thursday defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to reach her fourth consecutive US Open final. The Belarusian is chasing a third straight title in New York and a fifth Grand Slam crown.
The rivalry between Sabalenka and Rybakina has already produced some of the biggest matches of their careers. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 10-7, but Rybakina won their most recent Grand Slam meeting in the 2026 Australian Open final. Sabalenka then claimed their meetings in Indian Wells and Miami. Saturday will be their 18th career encounter. Rybakina arrives in New York with the Australian Open title already secured this season and will be playing her first US Open final. Sabalenka, meanwhile, enters with the experience of two consecutive championship victories at Flushing Meadows and a 20-match US Open winning streak.
The symbolism is hard to miss. Sabalenka currently holds the No. 1 ranking, but Rybakina has already secured the points necessary to replace her at the top on Monday. The trophy, however, remains up for grabs.
This is more than a Grand Slam final between two elite power players. It is a changing-of-the-guard moment at the top of women’s tennis. Sabalenka has owned the US Open for the past two years, while Rybakina has steadily built the résumé to challenge her dominance. With the world No. 1 ranking changing hands regardless of Saturday’s result, the final offers an intriguing question: will Sabalenka’s New York dynasty continue, or will Rybakina’s rise reach its biggest milestone yet?
