Elena Rybakina delivered a stunning performance in New York, silencing the home crowd and ending American hopes by defeating Coco Gauff in a gripping semi‑final that set up a much‑anticipated showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. The Kazakh star rallied from a set down to claim the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, securing her place in the final and keeping alive her quest for a third Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
The evening’s action began with Gauff, the fan‑favorite American, taking an early advantage. She broke Rybakina’s serve in the sixth game and rode that momentum to close the first set 6-3, buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd that even featured former First Lady Michelle Obama. Gauff’s powerful first serve was occasionally erratic, but her second serve remained heavy and difficult for opponents to handle, allowing her to dictate many of the early rallies.
Rybakina, however, remained composed. In post‑match remarks she admitted the nerves that come with facing a player of Gauff’s caliber: "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." Her calm mindset paid off as she began to exploit the occasional lapses in Gauff’s game, turning defensive shots into opportunities to unleash her own power.
The second set saw Rybakina raise her level dramatically. She capitalized on a series of unforced errors from the fourth‑seeded American, breaking early and building a lead that forced Gauff to chase the match.
With her Australian Open champion’s confidence behind her, Rybakina struck with aggressive groundstrokes, pushing Gauff back behind the baseline and dictating the pace. By the time the set reached 5-3 in Rybakina’s favour, the momentum had clearly shifted. Gauff fought back, breaking Rybakina in the ninth game to signal that the match was still very much alive. Yet the Kazakh’s resilience shone through; she responded with a decisive break of her own, sealing the second set 6-4 and sending the contest into a decisive third set.
The final set was a battle of wills. Rybakina surged ahead to 5-3, using her powerful forehand and a deep, penetrating serve to keep Gauff on the defensive. Gauff managed to break back, narrowing the gap to 5-4, but the pressure proved too much.
Rybakina held her nerve, broke once more, and closed out the match with a clean 6-4 third set, earning a place in the championship match against Sabalenka. In the other semi‑final, Sabalenka displayed the dominant form that has defined her season. She dispatched Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, employing her trademark power game to hit 29 winners and serve seven aces.
Pegula, the third‑seed and 2024 runner‑up, started strongly, saving an early break point with a crisp forehand winner. However, Sabalenka’s relentless aggression soon turned the tide. After a double fault in the ninth game, Sabalenka’s frustration boiled over, but she quickly refocused, breaking Pegula’s serve at a crucial set point and then again at match point to seal the victory. Sabalenka’s performance added another chapter to her impressive Grand Slam résumé.
Since 1988, she has become only the fifth world No. 1 to reach more than five major finals, joining legends such as Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis.
This is her ninth Grand Slam final overall, and she arrives in New York on a 19‑match winning streak, having not lost a single match at the US Open since 2022. Her record at the tournament over the past five years stands at 36‑3, underscoring her dominance on hard courts. Reflecting on her semi‑final win, Sabalenka said, "I can say that I feel confident and I feel mentally and physically really strong right now," a sentiment echoed by the partisan crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, who gave her a warm reception despite her being the defending champion.
Pegula, now 32, remains eager for her first Grand Slam crown. After the loss she admitted the challenge of facing Sabalenka in top 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." Gauff, meanwhile, took the loss in stride, acknowledging the broader perspective of her season: "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.
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." The upcoming final promises a clash of contrasting styles: Rybakina’s fluid power and tactical resilience against Sabalenka’s raw aggression and relentless baseline dominance.
Both athletes have demonstrated the mental fortitude required to thrive under the bright lights of New York, and tennis fans can expect a high‑octane encounter that could decide whether Sabalenka will complete a rare three‑peat at Flushing Meadows. For those wanting to follow the action, the US Open is being broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app.
The tournament continues to deliver drama, athletic excellence, and unforgettable moments as it moves toward its climactic finale.