World No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who will officially become No. 1 on Monday, defeated American Coco Gauff (4) in the semifinals of the 2026 US Open tennis championship, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The website infohub.kz reports.
Until today, the head-to-head record between the 27-year-old Rybakina and the 22-year-old Gauff stood at 1-1. Both matches took place on hard courts in Toronto. In 2022, the American won 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (7-3). In 2026, also in three sets, the Kazakhstani player won 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. The opponents played the maximum possible number of sets this time as well. Moreover, by a spontaneously established tradition, Coco won the first set.
In the US Open semifinals, our tennis player, unlike her opponent, was playing for the first time. And in the first set on Arthur Ashe Stadium, she felt quite uncertain. 18 unforced errors and just one ace (against four for Gauff) – a vivid illustration of that. After dropping her serve in the sixth game, Elena lost the next two of her opponent's service games to love. The set ended without a hint of a comeback break – 3-6.
In the second set, Rybakina managed to stabilize her game. Errors decreased noticeably, and confidence appeared. After breaking in the fourth game and consolidating it, the Kazakhstani player led 4-1. But then she unexpectedly lost three games in a row – 4-4. However, she managed to edge out Gauff, despite the American's frenzied support from the stands, breaking her serve in the 10th game – 6-4.
The packed stands, actively cheering for Gauff, continued to riot in the deciding set as well. Often, we note, shouting and hindering Rybakina's serve. And yet Elena, in spite of circumstances, showing an iron character, defeated everyone. Her opponent, her fans, herself, finally. 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours 8 minutes. Aces – 5-4, double faults – 2-4, total points won – 88-82.
In the 2026 US Open final, Rybakina will contest the prestigious trophy with Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian has won here two years in a row, in 2024 and 2025.
Our junior Damir Zhalgasbay continues his run at the 2026 US Open. The Kazakhstani, paired with American Safir Azam, advanced to the semifinals today. In the main draw, all representatives of Kazakhstani tennis except Rybakina have packed their rackets.
The US Open tennis championship is an annual Grand Slam tournament on hard courts. The last of the four majors in the calendar year. The total prize fund – $108 million – a record for the majors.