Elena Rybakina Dethrones Sabalenka to Become World No. 1 at US Open
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In a dramatic turn of events at Flushing Meadows, Kazakhstan's tennis star Elena Rybakina clinched the world number one ranking after staging a brilliant comeback to defeat China's Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open quarter-finals. The hard-fought victory dethroned Aryna Sabalenka, who watched from the sidelines as the top spot slipped away. Reflecting on her milestone achievement, Rybakina admitted that words could hardly capture her emotions, acknowledging that while it might not have been her absolute best performance on the court, securing the number one crown and advancing deeper into the tournament marks a defining chapter in her career.
Historic Semifinal Lineup: Top Four Seeds Make Grand Slam History
The women's singles draw at the 2026 US Open etched its name into tennis history books, with the top four seeds—Sabalenka, Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff—all advancing to the semi-finals, replicating a rare feat last witnessed at Wimbledon in 2009. Local favorite Coco Gauff delivered a masterclass in resilience, fighting off two match points in a tense second-set tie-break to overcome Russia's Mira Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2. Gauff's gritty turnaround highlighted a day of fierce competition and high drama, setting the stage for an unforgettable penultimate round.
Alexander Zverev Powers Into Men's Semifinals Following Dominant Win
In the men's singles category, Germany's Alexander Zverev showcased commanding form to sweep past the Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, 6-1. Acknowledging his shaky start earlier in the tournament, Zverev noted that his physical endurance in grueling five-set matches has been key to his deep run. The German contender will now lock horns with Russia's Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals, after Khachanov advanced following Alexander Bloks' injury retirement. With elite players peaking at the right moment, the US Open has intensified into an electrifying battle for Grand Slam glory.
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