Rybakina and Sabalenka set for US Open final with top ranking at stake
Elena Rybakina recovered from a set down to defeat Coco Gauff, while defending champion Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will meet in the US Open women’s singles final after contrasting semi-final victories on Thursday.
Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to keep her bid for a third consecutive US Open title alive. The Belarusian has won the tournament in 2024 and 2025.
Rybakina overcame Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 after losing the opening set. The result secured the Kazakh player’s first US Open final and followed her victory over Sabalenka in January’s Australian Open final.
Rybakina’s run to the final is expected to end Sabalenka’s time as world No. 1 when the rankings are updated on Monday. The final is scheduled for Saturday.
Sabalenka is seeking to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women to win three successive US Open titles. The men’s semi-finals are scheduled for Friday, according to Al Jazeera Global News.
