Story perspectives

Rybakina, Gauff Set US Open Final After No.1 Guarantee

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 5:19 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The women's singles semi-finals feature the top four seeds, a first since 1975.
Aryna Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula, seeking a third straight US Open title.
Elena Rybakina meets Coco Gauff after Rybakina secured the upcoming world No.1 ranking.
Coco Gauff saved match points and rallied from a set down to defeat Mirra Andreeva.
Elena Rybakina recovered from a set down to beat Zheng Qinwen, guaranteeing No.1 ranking.

History

Historical Context

In 1975 the US Open became the first Grand Slam where the top four women’s seeds—Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Virginia Wade—reached the semifinals. The quartet of seeds—Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff—did so in 2026, showing competition. Sabalenka aims for a third title, unseen since 2014, and Rybakina’s run made her the 30th player and first Kazakhstani No. 1.

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Story summary

The women's singles semi-finals feature the top four seeds, a first since 1975.
Aryna Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula, seeking a third straight US Open title.
Elena Rybakina meets Coco Gauff after Rybakina secured the upcoming world No.1 ranking.
Coco Gauff saved match points and rallied from a set down to defeat Mirra Andreeva.
Elena Rybakina recovered from a set down to beat Zheng Qinwen, guaranteeing No.1 ranking.

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