Coco Gauff overcame multiple match points on Wednesday to defeat Mirra Andreeva, securing her place in the US Open semifinals. She is now set to face Elena Rybakina, who officially claimed the world No. 1 ranking after her victory over Qinwen Zheng.
Rybakina ends Sabalenka's 99-week reign at No. 1
Elena Rybakina has officially ascended to the top of the WTA rankings, ending the 99-week tenure of Aryna Sabalenka. According to the AP report, Rybakina guaranteed this milestone by defeating Qinwen Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on September 9, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. While Rybakina acknowledged the achievement, she emphasized that her primary focus remains on winning the tournament rather than the numerical ranking.
The shift in power comes at a time when Rybakina is seeking her first US Open title. historically, this tournament has been her most challenging Grand Slam, with a win rate of only 57 percent entering this match. By reaching the semifinals, Rybakina has advanced further at the US Open than ever before, having previously been eliminated in the fourth round last year.
Gauff's tiebreaker survival and the 2023 echo
Coco Gauff's path to the semifinals was nearly derailed by Mirra Andreeva, who dominated the early stages of their match. As reported by the AP, Andreeva won the first seven points of the contest and claimed the first set in just 26 minutes. Gauff eventually regrouped to win 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2, a victory that mirrors her 2023 US Open championship run where she similarly overcame a difficult start in the final against Aryna Sabalenka.
The turning point occurred during a tense second-set tiebreaker. gauff utilized a 39-shot rally to gain momentum, eventually saving two match points to force a deciding set. Gauff credited her mental resilience to the example set by fellow American Frances Tiafoe, who had successfully come back from two sets down in his own quarterfinal match the previous day.
Qinwen Zheng's climb from rank 121 to the quarterfinals
Though she fell to Rybakina, Qinwen Zheng's performance in Flushing Meadows represents one of the most dramatic recoveries of the 2026 season. The 2024 Olympic gold meadlist entered the tournament ranked No. 121 after elbow surgery forced her through the qualifying rounds. Despite her low ranking, Zheng reached the quarterfinals by erasing massive deficits, including 5-0 holes against both Madison Keys and No. 8-seed Iga Swiatek.
Zheng's run highlights a broader trend of volatility in the women's game, where injury-induced ranking drops do not necessarily reflect a player's actual ceiling. While the loss to Rybakina ended her run, the performance ensures Zheng will climb back into the top 60 of the WTA rankings.
The French Open gap in Rybakina's trophy case
With wins already at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, Elena Rybakina is now wihtin two matches of a potential Career Grand Slam. The only major title missing from her collection is the French Open. However, several questions remain regarding her stamina and consistency; she struggled significantly with sun and shadows in Arthur Ashe Stadium durnig her match against Zheng, which may play a role in her upcoming semifinal.
The semifinal matchups are now locked: Rybakina will face Gauff, while Aryna Sabalenka takes on Jessica Pegula. On the men's side, Karen Khachanov has advanced to his third Grand Slam semifinal after Alexander Blockx retired in the third set due to leg and back injuries. Khachanov will await the winner of the match between Alexander Zverev and Botic van de Zandschulp, while Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are set for an all-American clash.
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