NEW YORK, United States: Elena Rybakina beat Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the US Open to reach the semi-finals and secure the world No. 1 ranking for the first time.
The second seed recovered after dropping the opening set at Flushing Meadows. She controlled the second set before winning the final three games of the deciding set to close out the quarter-final.
Rybakina becomes the 30th woman to reach No. 1 in the WTA rankings. Her rise ends Aryna Sabalenka’s run of 99 consecutive weeks at the top.
The Kazakhstani entered the tournament knowing a semi-final appearance would guarantee the top ranking. Her achievement follows a season that included an Australian Open title and tournament wins in Ningbo and Stuttgart.
Read: Zheng Qinwen Beats Keys 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 At US Open
Rybakina said the ranking was an “amazing achievement” but stressed that her immediate focus remains winning the US Open.
She will next face fourth seed Coco Gauff. The American saved two match points before defeating Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 in her quarter-final.
