'Just a number' - Rybakina's rise to world number one

After 99 weeks, Elena Rybakina will become the new women's world number one, following her US Open quarter-final victory over Zheng Qinwen. The 27-year-old Kazakhstani is the first in her country to reach the top of the singles standings. Rybakina has been chasing world number one status this season, joining Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff as three women who threatened to displace Belarusian champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka has held the number one ranking for 99 consecutive weeks, which places her sixth longest streak in WTA history. The top two players could meet in the US Open final, just as they did at the Australian Open this year, where Rybakina won in three sets.

For Rybakina, the ranking is less important than her performance in tournaments. She stated, "It's just a number right now. My goal is to win the tournaments which I play." Her rise to the top is fueled by a powerful serve and a consistent performance throughout her career. Despite managing an ankle injury, Rybakina has won 47 of her 60 matches this year, surpassing American world number three Jessica Pegula for the most hard-court wins on the WTA Tour.

Rybakina's bond with her coach, Stefano Vukov, was strained earlier this year due to a breach of the WTA Tour's code of conduct, but they have since resumed their partnership.