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Elena Rybakina has ended Zheng Qinwen’s impressive US Open campaign with a three-set victory, securing her place in the semi-finals and guaranteeing a historic rise to the top of the women’s world rankings.
The 27-year-old Kazakh defeated Olympic champion Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday to set up a semi-final meeting with former US Open champion Coco Gauff.
Rybakina, who entered the tournament ranked number two in the world, was assured of replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the rankings after reaching the last four, regardless of whether Sabalenka wins a third consecutive US Open title.
“It’s just a number right now,” Rybakina said after the victory. “It’s a different achievement, but mostly you think about the titles in the end of the day.”
Her promotion makes her the first player from Kazakhstan to become world number one and the 30th woman in tennis history to reach the top ranking.
Rybakina is chasing her third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open in January and Wimbledon in 2022. She said the significance of becoming number one may become clearer later in her career.
“I feel like you will appreciate and think about it even more when you finish your career,” she said. “Like now, you still need to keep on going.”
Gauff booked her semi-final place after surviving a major test against 19-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva, recovering from a slow start to win 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2.
The American saved two match points in the second-set tie-break before turning the contest around.
“I just had to reset,” Gauff said. “Honestly, I was thinking about Frances Tiafoe and how he came back. I was just trying to leave the court without regrets.”
Gauff, who won her first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2023, said facing the new world number one would be a major challenge.
“Elena is the new world number one,” Gauff said. “It’s going to be a tough match. These are the moments you live for.”
For Zheng, the defeat ended a remarkable comeback run. The 23-year-old returned to competition after missing about eight months following elbow surgery and reached the quarter-finals after coming through qualifying.
She recorded seven wins in New York, including victories over six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and former Australian Open winner Madison Keys.
