Elena Rybakina will play Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final after coming from behind to deny home favourite Coco Gauff at Flushing Meadows.

The new world number one recovered from losing the opening set of the blockbuster semi-final showdown, prevailing 3-6 6-4 6-4 after two hours and nine minutes.

Rybakina was a little slow out of the blocks in her maiden last-four match inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The two-time major champion was forced to save two break points in the second game, and was broken in the sixth for only the fifth time this fortnight.

Gauff, who won this title in 2023, took advantage with a subsequent love hold, paving the way for her to move halfway towards a second US Open final.

Rybakina responded well, breaking in game four of the second set on the way to a 4-1 lead. Although she was pegged back to 4-4, the second seed replied with a love hold, and broke to 15 to set up a deciding set.

It looked like her opportunity may have gone when Gauff rescued two break points in the sixth game to level at 3-3.

However, Rybakina broke in the eighth and, despite Gauff immediately responding, another break of serve followed for the Kazakh in the final game, as she silenced the buoyant home crowd.

Now, Rybakina will have the chance to cement her status as the WTA's top dog by beating the player she will replace at the summit of the rankings. 

Current No. 1 vs the incoming No. 1.

For a US Open titlepic.twitter.com/srEEKJMepQ

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2026

Lucky 13 as comeback queen Rybakina sets up Sabalenka rematch

For the first time in 13 years, the women's singles final at the US Open will be contested by the top two seeds, as Sabalenka awaits Rybakina on Saturday.

It marks only the second time since 1988 that the same two players will contest both hard-court major finals in the same season, with Rybakina having prevailed in the Australian Open championship match in January.

Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario were the other two to do so in 1994.

Although, it seemed unlikely when Rybakina lost the opening set, with the dominance she had displayed on serve throughout the fortnight seemingly deserting her.

Nevertheless, she delivered the response you would expect of a world number one, getting back on level terms after an untimely double-fault from Gauff in game 10 of the second set.

Rybakina had come from behind to win when the pair met at this stage of the Canadian Open last month.

She followed suit here, claiming her second career major comeback win against a top-10 opponent, having also achieved the feat against Ons Jabeur in the 2022 Wimbledon final.

Not only that, Rybakina recorded her eighth victory over a former champion at a major event. She is one of only two active players, along with Serena Williams, to beat former victors at all four slams.