Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Rybakina Reaches US Open Semifinal, Claims World No. 1 Ranking
Elena Rybakina won a big tennis match against Zheng Qinwen at the US Open.
Zheng won the first set, but Rybakina played much better in the next two sets.
The final score was 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
This was Rybakina’s first time reaching the US Open semifinals.
Her win also made her the world’s No.
1 women’s tennis player.
She is the first player from Kazakhstan to reach that ranking.
She replaced Aryna Sabalenka, who had been No.
1 for 99 weeks.
Rybakina had worried that a left-ankle problem might keep her from playing well.
She will next play Coco Gauff for a place in the final.
Elena Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open quarterfinals.
The victory sent Rybakina to her first US Open semifinal and made her world No. 1.
Rybakina became the first player from Kazakhstan, male or female, to reach the top ranking, replacing Aryna Sabalenka after her 99-week reign.
Rybakina overcame concerns about her left ankle and has won four titles, 62 tour-level matches and 16 matches against Top-10 opponents since last year’s US Open.
Rybakina will face Coco Gauff in the semifinals, while Zheng’s qualifying run ended after seven wins in New York.
- Who
- Elena Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen; Coco Gauff will be her semifinal opponent.
- What
- Rybakina won a US Open quarterfinal and secured the women’s world No. 1 ranking.
- When
- Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with the article published September 10.
- Where
- Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open in New York.
- Why
- Reaching the US Open semifinals gave Rybakina enough ranking points to move ahead of Aryna Sabalenka.
- Quarterfinal score
- Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
- Match duration
- Two hours and 14 minutes.
- Ranking milestone
- Rybakina became world No. 1 and the first player from Kazakhstan to reach the top spot.
- Previous No. 1
- Aryna Sabalenka held the ranking for 99 weeks.
- Next opponent
- Rybakina will play Coco Gauff in the semifinals.
- Zheng’s tournament
- Zheng came through qualifying and won seven matches in New York before losing to Rybakina.
- Recent record
- Since last year’s US Open, Rybakina has won 62 tour-level matches, four titles and 16 matches against Top-10 opponents.
- Men’s draw
- Karen Khachanov reached the semifinals after Alexander Blockx retired, and the winner of Alexander Zverev versus Botic van de Zandschulp will face him.
