Rybakina secures the top ranking

Elena Rybakina became the first player representing Kazakhstan to secure the world number one ranking on Wednesday after advancing to the US Open semi-finals. The 27-year-old second seed entered the tournament trailing Aryna Sabalenka by 434 points and recovered from a set down to defeat Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen 3-6 6-1 6-4. Rybakina, who retired due to injury at the Cincinnati tune-up tournament in August and missed practice before Flushing Meadows, struck 20 winners in the match. She will officially replace Sabalenka when the WTA rankings update on Monday, becoming the 30th woman to hold the top ranking. Rybakina will meet 2023 champion Coco Gauff for a place in the final.

“I think from where I was coming to this tournament, being injured and not practising, I think we came pretty far.”

Gauff completes top-four seed sweep

Coco Gauff reached the semi-finals by saving two match points in a 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 victory over fifth seed Mirra Andreeva. Gauff dropped a 26-minute opening set before recovering from being twice broken back in the second set and winning a 16-point tie-break. Her victory means all top four seeds (Sabalenka, Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Gauff) reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009. On Tuesday, third seed Pegula beat Emma Navarro 3-6 6-4 6-3 to record her 50th victory of the 2026 season, becoming the first player on the women's tour to reach that milestone this year. Pegula will face two-time defending champion Sabalenka in a rematch of the 2024 final.

“At the end of the first set I was thinking about Frances and how he came back yesterday.”

Aryna Sabalenka1

Elena Rybakina2

Jessica Pegula3

Coco Gauff4

Aryna Sabalenka

1

Elena Rybakina

2

Jessica Pegula

3

Coco Gauff

4

Data from the article text

Zheng concludes qualifying run

Zheng Qinwen concluded a tournament run that made her the first qualifier to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Emma Raducanu in 2021. The Olympic champion had dropped from the top 10 in 2024 to 121st in the world rankings after undergoing elbow surgery. During her run in New York, Zheng overcame a 5-0 deficit in the third set against Madison Keys, winning seven consecutive games to prevail 1-6 7-6 (7/3) 7-5. She followed that victory by defeating six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek 7-5 6-3 in the fourth round. Her quarter-final appearance is projected to move her into the world top 60 ahead of four upcoming WTA tournaments in China.

“I think the good thing is I know how to compete better than the beginning of the year.”

Scheduling debate follows record late finish

Tournament scheduling drew renewed scrutiny after Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at 3:33 a.m. on Wednesday, establishing the latest finish in US Open history. Three matches ended after 2 a.m. during the first week, and Venus Williams played in a contest that started at 12:13 a.m. against Sofia Kenin. Unlike Wimbledon, which enforces an 11 p.m. curfew, or the French Open, which limits night sessions to one match, Flushing Meadows schedules two evening matches starting at 7 p.m. Late finishes resulted in thinner crowds as spectators left early to catch transit home. Tournament officials stated that they will evaluate all future scheduling options while balancing session logistics.

“I don't know any other sport where you have to start that late. I definitely think there's room for improvement.”