Elena Rybakina Comes From Behind To Reach US Open Semifinals

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Elena Rybakina overcame Qinwen Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the US Open semifinals and claim the world No. 1 ranking for the first time. Zheng, who entered the tournament as a qualifier ranked 121st, continued her remarkable run by taking the opening set against the second seed. Rybakina, however, responded emphatically, raising the intensity of her baseline game and winning the second set 6-1. The decisive set remained closely contested before Rybakina secured the crucial break at 4-4 and held her nerve to close out the match. The victory was especially significant as it confirmed Rybakina as the first Kazakh player to reach the top of the WTA rankings. The 2026 Australian Open champion will now face Coco Gauff in the semifinals, while Zheng leaves New York having restored herself among the sport’s elite.

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Qinwen Zheng Vs Elena Rybakina US open quarter final highlights
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, left, and Qinwen Zheng, of China, meet at the net after Rybakina won their match during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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Qinwen Zheng Vs Elena Rybakina US open quarter final
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, celebrates winning a match against Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
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Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
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Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns the ball to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns the ball to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
4/9
Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns the ball to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, returns the ball to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, follows through on a serve to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, follows through on a serve to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
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Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Qinwen Zheng, of China, returns the ball to Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, serves to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York.
Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, serves to Qinwen Zheng, of China, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth

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