Women's tennis has a new world number one as US Open showdown looms
Elena Rybakina becomes world number one for the first time by reaching the US Open semifinals, despite defending champion and current top-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka still being alive in the tournament.
Elena Rybakina has claimed the mantle of world number one following her victory over Qinwen Zheng in a US Open semifinal match. The Kazakh tennis player defeated Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, leaving her poised to face 2023 champion Coco Gauff in the next round. Rybakina's win marks her first appearance in the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.
The US Open's early program saw Ben Shelton clinch a thrilling five-set win over Carlos Alcaraz at 3:33 am, shattering the record for the latest finish at the event. Rybakina, who has ousted Sabalenka from the top spot, expressed her satisfaction despite the match's lack of intensity, stating she pushed through. Meanwhile, Gauff overcame a match point in the second-set tiebreak to enter the last four of her home Grand Slam for the second time.
The other semifinal features defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and American third seed Jessica Pegula, who remains the only woman without a Grand Slam title. If Rybakina and Sabalenka advance, it would mark their second encounter in a major final this year, with Rybakina winning the Australian Open title in January.
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