Aryna Rybakina Ends Coco Gauff’s US Open Run, Sets Championship Showdown With Aryna Sabalenka

Rybakina Rallies Past Gauff to Reach the Final

Aryna Rybakina ended Coco Gauff’s run at the 2026 US Open on Thursday, rallying past the American 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the women’s singles final and set up a championship showdown between the top two players in the world.

Rybakina, the No. 2 seed, overcame a slow start against Gauff before taking control of the match in the final two sets. Gauff came out aggressively, hitting four aces to Rybakina’s one and taking the opening set in just 38 minutes. Rybakina, however, gradually found her rhythm and refused to allow Gauff’s comeback attempt to carry her into another US Open final.

Gauff trailed 4-1 in the second set but fought back to level the score at 4-all. Rybakina responded by winning the next two games to force a deciding set. She again moved ahead 5-3 and had an opportunity to serve out the match, but Gauff broke to give herself another chance in front of a supportive crowd that included former first lady Michelle Obama.

Rybakina held firm, closing out the match to advance to the final and earn the opportunity to win her second US Open championship.

Sabalenka Overpowers Pegula in First Semifinal

Rybakina will face No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who powered past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first semifinal. Sabalenka and Pegula remained relatively even through much of the opening set, with Pegula holding her own on serve. It was 4-all after 25 minutes, and Sabalenka appeared increasingly frustrated as she struggled to make progress against Pegula’s service games.

That changed late in the set. Pegula had won 18 of 20 points on her first serve when she stepped to the line with Sabalenka leading 6-5. Sabalenka responded with a backhand winner, followed by a Pegula forehand that sailed long and another Sabalenka winner to create set point. She finished off the set a couple of points later.

Sabalenka then took control of the second set. She put Pegula under significant pressure during her second service game and eventually capitalized on a 77 mph second serve, hammering a forehand back at 90 mph to take a 3-1 lead.

From there, Sabalenka continued to pull away. She finished with 29 winners compared with 12 for Pegula and won 14 of 19 points when attacking Pegula’s second serve. Sabalenka’s aggressive ball-striking repeatedly put Pegula on the defensive and prevented the American from sustaining the level of play that had kept the opening set competitive.

Sabalenka Chasing History at Flushing Meadows

The final will give Sabalenka an opportunity to make more history at the US Open. The two-time defending champion has won 19 consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows since losing to Gauff in the 2023 final.

Sabalenka could become the first woman to win three consecutive US Open singles titles since Serena Williams accomplished the feat from 2012 through 2014. Pegula had previously pushed Sabalenka in the 2024 final and again in last year’s semifinals, but Thursday’s performance left little opportunity for another close finish.

The result also continued an unusual streak at this year’s tournament: the top four seeds all reached the women’s semifinals for the first time since 1975. Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff have all captured multiple Grand Slam titles, while Pegula continues to pursue her first major championship.

Rybakina Set to Take Over No. 1 Ranking

While Sabalenka remains focused on defending her US Open crown, the final also carries major significance for the WTA rankings.

Sabalenka entered the tournament ranked No. 1, while Rybakina was No. 2. Rybakina needed only to reach the semifinals to secure the top ranking, meaning Sabalenka knew before Thursday’s matches that her 99-week run at No. 1 was coming to an end.

Rybakina had already beaten Sabalenka earlier this season to win the Australian Open, and Sabalenka’s results during the summer allowed Rybakina to steadily close the gap in the rankings. The rankings change will become official Monday, but the US Open trophy remains something Sabalenka can still control on the court.

Championship Showdown Awaits

Sabalenka and Rybakina will now meet with the US Open championship on the line, creating a final between the top two players in women’s tennis. Rybakina has already defeated Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final this season, while Sabalenka enters the championship match riding a 19-match US Open winning streak and seeking a historic third consecutive title.

For Sabalenka, the No. 1 ranking may be slipping away, but the US Open trophy is still within reach. For Rybakina, the final represents an opportunity to claim another major championship while completing her rise to the top of the WTA rankings. The stage is set for a heavyweight final between two of the sport’s most powerful players.