Elena Rybakina stunned the home crowd in New York by defeating Coco Gauff in a hard‑fought semi‑final, securing a much‑anticipated showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final. The Kazakh star rallied from a set down to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, ending the American fan favourite's run and positioning herself for a chance at a third Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
The evening’s action began with Gauff taking the initiative, breaking Rybakina’s serve early and claiming the first set 6-3 in front of an enthusiastic audience that included former First Lady Michelle Obama. Gauff’s powerful first serve was on point, but when it missed, her second serve proved heavy and gave Rybakina opportunities to dictate rallies. Despite the pressure, Gauff held her composure, forcing errors from the Kazakh and maintaining a lead throughout the opening set. Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, responded with a mixture of aggressive baseline play and strategic shot placement in the second set.
She capitalised on a few unforced errors from the fourth‑seeded American, breaking serve to level the match at 3-3. The Kazakh’s powerful groundstrokes began to wear down Gauff, and Rybakina soon surged ahead to take the set 6-4, setting the stage for a decisive third set. In the final set, Rybakina seized control early, breaking Gauff to go up 3-1. The momentum shifted as Rybakina’s serve became more dominant, delivering a series of aces and deep, unreturnable shots that left Gauff scrambling.
Gauff managed to break back, narrowing the gap, but she could not sustain the break, and Rybakina broke again to close out the match 6-4. After the victory, Rybakina admitted she felt nervous facing Gauff, describing the American as a "great player" whose heavy second serve can be difficult to handle. She said she focused on breathing, staying positive, and fighting for every point. Gauff reflected on the loss, noting her father’s encouragement during the match and expressing disappointment at not adding another trophy to her summer achievements.
She described the experience as a learning opportunity and vowed to keep working toward consistency and future titles. Meanwhile, earlier in the night, Sabalenka had dispatched Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, moving one step closer to a potential three‑peat at the US Open. The Belarusian powerhouse relied on her trademark power, blasting 29 winners and serving seven aces. Pegula, the third seed and 2024 runner‑up, started strongly, saving an early break point with a crisp forehand winner.
However, as the match progressed, Sabalenka’s relentless aggression and a series of costly errors from Pegula allowed the defending champion to seize control. Sabalenka broke Pegula on a set point in the first set and again in the second, ultimately sealing the match with an unreturnable shot deep in Pegula’s court.
Sabalenka, now a five‑time Grand Slam finalist, joined an elite group of world No. 1 players who have reached at least five major finals, alongside legends such as Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles, and Martina Hingis. She entered the final on a 19‑match winning streak in New York, boasting a 36‑3 record at the US Open over the past five years and an unbeaten run in her last eight hard‑court major finals.
Her confidence was evident as she told the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium that she felt "mentally and physically strong" and ready to chase a historic three‑peat. Pegula, 32, acknowledged the difficulty of facing Sabalenka in peak form, admitting she felt overwhelmed by the Belarusian’s intensity and high‑level play.
She confessed uncertainty about what had triggered Sabalenka’s dominance that night, but praised her opponent’s "insane" performance. The upcoming final promises a clash of contrasting styles: Rybakina’s blend of power, precision, and tactical resilience against Sabalenka’s raw force and relentless aggression. Both players have demonstrated the ability to dominate on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, and the match is expected to be a showcase of high‑octane tennis, with the winner potentially securing a historic third consecutive US Open title.
Fans can catch the final live on Sky Sports starting August 30, or stream the action without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports App. For those in London, the Laver Cup will be held at The O2 from September 25‑27, also broadcast on Sky Sports.
The tournament continues to deliver memorable moments, and the Rybakina‑Sabalenka showdown is poised to become one of the most exciting finals in recent US Open history.