{
  "id": 6710485,
  "title": "Rybakina rallies to beat Gauff, book US Open final with Sabalenka",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/rybakina-rallies-to-beat-gauff-book-us-open-final-with-sabalenka-6710485",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-11T04:06:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/11/rybakina-rallies-to-beat-gauff-book-us-open-final-with-sabalenka"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Elena Rybakina fought back from a set down to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 at the US Open Tennis Championships on Thursday, securing her spot in the women's singles final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. In the championship match, Rybakina aims to disrupt Sabalenka's momentum after knocking her out of the number one world ranking by reaching the semi-finals. Rybakina acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in serving and staying aggressive. Gauff's quest to reclaim the final, her first since defeating Sabalenka in 2023, started well with her taking the first set lead 4-2. Rybakina responded strongly in the second set, breaking Gauff's serve early to take a 3-1 lead, which she held. Gauff mounted a rally with a break, making the score 4-3, but ultimately failed to capitalize on her chances, double-faulting at 15-40 to give Rybakina two set points. Rybakina capitalized on that opportunity, winning the third set after Gauff also conceded a break. Gauff hit a wide smash long to concede the match. Rybakina attributed her victory to a few lucky deep returns and a single mistake from Gauff, describing it as a \"real battle.\"",
  "summary": "In Saturday's final Elena Rybakina will try to deal another blow to Aryana Sabalenka, having knocked her out of the number one world ranking just by reaching the semi-finals.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Gauff fights back to beat Andreeva and reach US Open semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/gauff-fights-back-to-beat-andreeva-and-reach-us-open-semis",
        "published": "2026-09-09T20:50:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Gauff fights back to beat Andreeva and reach US Open semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/gauff-fights-back-to-beat-andreeva-and-reach-us-open-semis-6489361",
        "published": "2026-09-09T22:08:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Pegula aiming to thwart Sabalenka three-peat in US Open semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/pegula-aiming-to-thwart-sabalenka-three-peat-in-us-open-semis",
        "published": "2026-09-09T23:21:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Rybakina rallies to beat Gauff, book US Open final with Sabalenka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/rybakina-rallies-to-beat-gauff-book-us-open-final-with-sabalenka",
        "published": "2026-09-11T03:47:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "‘Desperate’ Sabalenka books U.S. Open title clash with Rybakina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/desperate-sabalenka-books-u-s-open-title-clash-with-rybakina",
        "published": "2026-09-11T04:06:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}