Elena Rybakina has silenced a partisan New York crowd and booked a blockbuster US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka after fighting back to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff made the stronger start in front of her home support, but Rybakina gradually took control before holding her nerve in a tense deciding set.
The victory sends Rybakina into her first US Open final and guarantees that she will become the new world No. 1 on Monday.
Gauff Starts Fast, But Rybakina Refuses to Panic
The atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium was electric as Gauff looked to reach another US Open final on home soil.
The American took the opening set 6-3, using the energy of the crowd to put Rybakina under pressure.
But the Kazakh refused to allow the occasion to overwhelm her.
Rybakina tightened up her serve, became increasingly aggressive from the baseline and began forcing Gauff into difficult positions.
The second set went her way 6-4, sending the semi-final into a deciding set.
One Break Was Enough in the Decider
The third set became a battle of nerve.
Rybakina eventually broke to move 5-3 ahead, putting herself within touching distance of victory.
Gauff immediately responded by breaking back, giving the home crowd fresh hope.
But Rybakina refused to let the momentum shift again.
She broke Gauff once more and served out the match to complete a remarkable comeback.
The final score — 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 — reflected just how closely contested the match had become after Gauff's excellent opening.
Rybakina's victory also extended her remarkable record against American opponents to 19-0.
Now Comes the Final Everyone Wanted
Rybakina will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final.
Sabalenka had already booked her place by defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, setting up another meeting between two of the most powerful players in women's tennis.
The rivalry has already produced some huge matches.
Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, while Sabalenka has also enjoyed major victories over her rival.
Now they meet again with the US Open title at stake.
There is also a fascinating ranking subplot.
Sabalenka currently holds the No. 1 ranking, but Rybakina has already secured the points required to take over at the top next week regardless of what happens in the final.
America's Double Disappointment
Rybakina's victory also means there will be no American woman in the US Open final.
Both Gauff and Pegula were eliminated in the semi-finals, marking the first year since 2006 without an American woman reaching a Grand Slam women's singles final.
For Gauff, the defeat ends another deep run at a tournament where she won her first Grand Slam title in 2023.
For Rybakina, however, the biggest opportunity of the tournament now awaits.
She has already conquered the home favourite.
Now she has the defending champion standing between her and another Grand Slam trophy.
And with the world No. 1 ranking already secured, Rybakina can walk into Saturday's final with nothing left to prove — except that she is the best player in New York.
Fan Debate
⚽ Goal: Elena Rybakina will win the US Open final and claim her third Grand Slam title.
🔥 Fire: Rybakina has become the biggest threat to Sabalenka's dominance on hard courts.
😲 Shock: No American woman will feature in the 2026 US Open final despite Gauff and Pegula reaching the last four.
👍 Like: Rybakina showed outstanding composure to overcome both Gauff and the Arthur Ashe crowd.
💬 Comment: Who wins the blockbuster final — Rybakina or Sabalenka?
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