Rybakina claims top ranking with win over Zheng, Gauff fights back to beat Andreeva

NEW YORK – Elena Rybakina ensured she will leave Flushing Meadows as the new world No. 1 with a comprehensive win over Zheng Qinwen on Sept 9, reaching the US Open semi-finals for the first time, while 2023 champion Coco Gauff saved two match points to beat Russian Mirra Andreeva.

The early programme kicked off barely eight hours after Ben Shelton beat Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller that finished at 3.33am, breaking the record for the latest-ever finish at the US Open.

China’s Zheng had cultivated a reputation as one of the tournament’s finest comeback artists but ran out of gas against Rybakina, losing 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 as the Kazakh chipped away at her defences after overcoming early mistakes.

“It’s tough to find words,” said Rybakina, who dethroned Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the rankings. 

“It wasn’t maybe the highest level, but I’m glad I pushed through. I think from where I was coming to this tournament, being injured and not practising, I think we came pretty far.”

She is the 30th woman to capture the No. 1 spot.

“I’m very proud representing Kazakhstan. Every time I come back to Kazakhstan, no matter which city I go, it’s always so many kids,” she told reporters.

“Now they play tennis, and more and more are coming to the tennis facilities.”

US fan favourite Gauff played fifth seed Andreeva, looking to improve her 4-5 record over top-10 opponents this season.

Gauff has beaten the Russian in all five of their previous encounters, most recently in Rome in 2026. This time, she saved two match points to beat Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 after recovering from a dreadful opening set.

Gauff had none of her usual firepower at first and was on the ropes in the tie-break before she flipped the script and closed out the match with a forehand strike, dropping her racket to the court in joy and relief.

She faces Rybakina in the last four.

“Elena – she’s the new world No. 1 so it’s going to be a tough match,” said Gauff. “I’m looking forward to the battle. These are the moments you live for.”

Andreeva looked completely at home in Arthur Ashe Stadium as she sprinted through the first four games, never allowing Gauff to set up a break-point chance in the opening set where the Russian had just five unforced errors to 14 from her opponent.

The two players settled into a fine fight in the second set, trading breaks twice before the tie-break, where Gauff deployed a perfectly placed backhand to win a 39-shot rally and twice saved match point.

Andreeva flung her racket at her bench in disgust after dropping her serve in the third game of the decider and Gauff broke her to love in the seventh game to put the contest completely out of reach.

In the men’s draw, Alexander Zverev took another big step towards a second Grand Slam title by beating Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 to reach the semi-finals, where the German will take on Karen Khachanov.

Zverev looked far from convincing on serve and coughed up five double faults in an erratic start, but van de Zandschulp leaked forehand errors to allow the top seed to break in the fifth game and then take the first set.

Van de Zandschulp regrouped in the second set and came close to levelling the contest, but Zverev absorbed the pressure and reeled off three games in a row towards the end as the momentum swung firmly in the German’s favour.

Zverev, the 2020 runner-up, fired an overhead smash to break early in the third set and cruised home from there to reach his third semi-final in New York.

Earlier, Khachanov reached the semi-finals when Alexander Blockx retired trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2, as the Russian reached the final-four stage in Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022. REUTERS