Elena Rybakina stops Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open surge to face Aryna Sabalenka in the final
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Elena Rybakina secured her spot as the upcoming No. 1 ranked player by defeating Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the U.S. Open semifinal, aiming for her second Grand Slam title this year.
- Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka in the final, marking the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 WTA major final since the 2025 French Open, with Sabalenka seeking a third consecutive U.S. Open title.
- Coco Gauff showed significant growth by reaching the semifinals again, overcoming past serving struggles, but ultimately fell to Rybakina’s strong serve and clutch play.
- The match highlighted Rybakina’s resilience against a hostile crowd and Gauff’s athleticism, with Rybakina maintaining composure to close out the win despite some shaky moments.
- Gauff expressed optimism about her future development, emphasizing the hard work invested and her goal to keep improving over the next several years.
