Elena Rybakina recovered from losing the opening set to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the US Open final. She will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, creating a matchup between two of the tour’s biggest hitters and most accomplished hard-court players.
How Rybakina turned the semi-final
Gauff started strongly, but Rybakina stayed composed and gradually took advantage of errors as the match tightened. The final two sets were decided by small margins, with Rybakina managing the pressure points more effectively.
The ranking stakes are huge
The run also puts Rybakina on course to become world No. 1. That would add another layer to a final already carrying Grand Slam history and rivalry weight.
Sabalenka brings her own milestone chase
Sabalenka is seeking a third consecutive US Open title and has reached a fourth straight final in New York. Her power game is proven in these conditions, but Rybakina’s serve and first-strike tennis can remove time from even the best defenders.
What to watch
The key tactical battle will be second-serve pressure and who controls the centre of the court first. In a match between two aggressive players, the winner may be the one who can attack without letting error counts run away.
Bottom line
The US Open gets the final it wanted: two players with enormous weapons, major titles already on their résumés and a new world No. 1 storyline in the background.
Source: Reuters
