Rybakina Rallies Past Gauff to Reach US Open Final

THE COMEBACK

Elena Rybakina dropped the first set to Coco Gauff 3-6, then reeled off the next two 6-4, 6-4 to reach her first US Open final, closing out the win at Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of a crowd firmly behind the American. Gauff came out swinging and took the opening set clean, but Rybakina's serve and depth off the ground took over as the match wore on, and the No. 2 seed finished the stronger of the two across the last two sets.

A NEW WORLD NO. 1

The win carries weight beyond the final itself. By reaching the final, Rybakina becomes the 30th player in WTA history to hold the world No. 1 ranking, and the first player from Kazakhstan to do so.

THE FINAL

Rybakina's reward is a final against Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion at Flushing Meadows who is chasing what would be the first women's three-peat at the US Open since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014. The two have met recently, with Rybakina getting the better of Sabalenka at this year's Australian Open, adding an extra edge to Saturday's final on Arthur Ashe Stadium.