Elena Rybakina stunned the New York crowd and denied home favourite Coco Gauff a place in the championship match, ensuring that the final will be a showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who earlier in the evening dispatched Jessica Pegula. Rybakina’s comeback victory, 3-6 6-4 6-4, was a dramatic semi‑final that highlighted her resilience, power and tactical adaptability, and it propels her toward a potential third Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows. The semi‑final began with Gauff asserting her dominance, breaking early and taking the first set 6-3.
The American’s aggressive first serve, though occasionally erratic, was complemented by a heavy second serve that forced Rybakina into defensive positions. Gauff’s ability to draw errors from her opponent was evident as she capitalized on a series of unforced mistakes to claim the opening set in front of a raucous crowd that included former First Lady Michelle Obama. Instead of folding, Rybakina displayed the composure of a seasoned champion.
In the post‑match interview she admitted, "Of course there were nerves. Coco is a great player. It's always tough to play her.
Even if sometimes her first serve doesn't go the second one is so heavy it's difficult to dictate the rallies. I took a deep breath, tried to talk positive with myself and just told myself I need to fight and try to show good tennis." This mental reset allowed her to shift the momentum in the second set. She began to dictate play with her powerful groundstrokes, taking advantage of a few sloppy moments from the fourth‑seeded American and breaking to level the match at 3-3 before pulling ahead to win the set 6-4. The decisive third set saw Rybakina harnessing the aggressive style that earned her the Australian Open title earlier in the year.
She surged ahead to 5-3, breaking Gauff’s serve with a crisp forehand winner from the baseline. Gauff fought back, breaking Rybakina in the ninth game, but her momentum stalled when she could not hold serve on the following point.
Rybakina seized the opportunity, breaking again to close out the match and secure her place in the final. Gauff reflected on the loss with a mixture of disappointment and determination.
"My dad came up to me and was like, you accomplished so many great things this summer, and I'm like, I don't care about the summer," she said. "But, I mean, it's the goal. I want to be a consistent player.
I want to give myself as many opportunities to lift a trophy. But, yeah, it hurts. It's definitely a learning experience, and I hope to continue to keep putting myself in positions to hopefully win." On the other side of the draw, Sabalenka delivered a commanding performance against Pegula, winning 7-5 6-2. The Belarusian’s game plan relied on her trademark power, unleashing 29 winners and seven aces.
She broke Pegula’s serve at crucial moments, including a decisive break on match point that sealed the victory. Pegula, the 2024 runner‑up and a seasoned competitor, started strongly, saving an early break point with a crisp forehand, but she eventually succumbed to Sabalenka’s relentless aggression and a series of costly errors in the second set.
Sabalenka’s confidence was evident in her post‑match comments: "I can say that I feel confident and I feel mentally and physically really strong right now." Her performance in New York has been extraordinary; she is on a 19‑match winning streak at the US Open, holds a 36‑3 record over the past five years, and has reached eight consecutive hard‑court major finals. Since 1988, only four world‑number‑ones—Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis—have amassed five or more Grand Slam final appearances while holding the top ranking, placing Sabalenka among an elite group. Pegula, now 32, remains eager for her first Grand Slam title. She acknowledged the daunting task of facing a player of Sabalenka’s caliber in peak form: "I don't know who p***** her off today - hopefully it wasn't me totally, but it might have been - I don't know.
She played insane. She played a super‑high level. Honestly, I don't really know if there was much I could do today." The upcoming final promises to be a clash of contrasting styles. Rybakina, with her fluid baseline game and ability to shift momentum, will need to neutralize Sabalenka’s raw power and relentless attacking mindset.
Both athletes have demonstrated mental fortitude throughout the tournament, and their paths to the final have been marked by decisive wins over top‑ranked opponents. Beyond the on‑court action, the US Open continues to attract a global audience, with live coverage on Sky Sports beginning August 30 and streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also look forward to related tennis events, such as the Laver Cup at The O2 in London later in September, further highlighting the sport’s growing popularity. In summary, the semi‑finals have set the stage for a blockbuster championship match.
Rybakina’s comeback triumph over Gauff showcases her resilience and tactical acumen, while Sabalenka’s dominant display against Pegula underscores her status as the tournament favorite. As the two prepare to meet in the final, the tennis world will watch closely to see whether Rybakina can claim her third Grand Slam crown or if Sabalenka will complete a historic three‑peat at Flushing Meadows.