Elena Rybakina had much more to gain in her quarterfinal match at the US Open than simply winning a match against Zheng Qinwen. If the Kazakhstani were to win, she would guarantee herself the top spot in the WTA rankings after the tournament was over. That would be the first time that Rybakina would reach No. 1.
Of course, Zheng, the master of comebacks at this year's New York major, was trying to make her own move. Once in the top-5, an injury in 2025 derailed the rising narrative of her career. She had fallen out of the top 100, but if she were able to win the US Open, she'd be back inside the top 20.
Maybe it would have helped the Chinese player had she gotten down 0-5 again at the start of the match, as twice, and in back-to-back sets, Zheng has come back to take the set at the US Open. The first player to accomplish the feat. Instead, Zheng grabbed an early lead, taking the opening set 6-3.
Elena Rybakina defeats Zheng Qinwen to move into the semifinals of the US Open and reach WTA No. 1
Rybakina wasn't playing poorly, but Zheng was simply playing a tick better. She was stronger on the more important points, even while pressed to hold serve. The Chinese player was chasing down more balls and extending more points. Rybakina's ability to end points quickly was diminished, at least in the opening set.
Rybakina set out to change the course of the match at the start of set two, breaking Zheng in the second game and sandwiching that between two holds.
At 3-1, Rybakina ran into a bit of trouble, even facing a break point, but served her way out of trouble, and the match was likely headed toward a deciding third set, just like every other quarterfinal match has gone the distance at the 2026 US Open. Rybakina got another break to win the set easily, 6-1.
Each player held serve confidently until the third set was 4-all. With Zheng serving, Rybakina took a 0-40 lead, and though the Chinese player fought back to deuce, Rybakina got the break after a double fault by Zheng to be on serve at 5-4. She then held to take the third set 6-4, win the match, move into the semifinals, and, with it, the guaranteed spot at the top of the WTA rankings when the major was finished, whether she won the title or not.
Elena Rybakina will next play the winner of the Coco Gauff versus Mirra Andreeva match in the US Open semifinals. Whoever wins that match will play either Aryna Sabalenka or Jessica Pegula in the final on Saturday.
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