Elena Rybakina ended Zheng Qinwen’s impressive US Open campaign on Wednesday with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory, securing her place in the semi-finals and guaranteeing that she will become the new world No. 1.
The 27-year-old Kazakh will replace Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings regardless of whether the Belarusian successfully defends her US Open title.
“It’s just a number right now,” Rybakina said. “It’s a different achievement, but mostly you think about the titles at the end of the day.”
Rybakina will now face American star Coco Gauff in the semi-finals after Gauff survived a major scare against 19-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva.
Gauff recovered from losing the opening set and saved two match points in the second-set tie-break before defeating the reigning French Open champion 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2.
“I just had to reset,” Gauff said. “Honestly, I was thinking about Frances Tiafoe and how he came back. I was just trying to leave the court without regrets.”
Rybakina, the first player representing Kazakhstan to reach world No. 1, is pursuing a third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open in January and Wimbledon four years earlier.
“I feel like you will appreciate and think about it even more when you finish your career,” she said of reaching the top ranking. “Like now, you still need to keep on going.”
Zheng’s Remarkable Comeback Ends
Zheng’s defeat brought an end to one of the tournament’s most remarkable comeback stories.
The reigning Olympic champion, who previously reached a career-high ranking of fourth, had slipped to 121st after missing about eight months following elbow surgery.
She returned to the US Open through qualifying and won seven matches in New York, including impressive victories over six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and former Australian Open champion Madison Keys.
Zheng started strongly against Rybakina, using a powerful serve and varied shot selection to neutralise her opponent’s attacking game.
However, a dip in Zheng’s level allowed Rybakina to take control in the second set.
The third set remained closely contested until Zheng missed an opportunity to break in the third game. Rybakina immediately capitalised, breaking in the following game before pulling away to seal victory.
“I got a lot of chances in the third set, but I didn’t take them,” Zheng said. “That was a bit of a pity for me to lose this match, but obviously I could take positive things from the US Open this year.”
Zverev Completes Men’s Semi-Final Line-Up
Top seed Alexander Zverev also booked his place in the men’s semi-finals after comfortably defeating Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1.
Van de Zandschulp had previously caused a major upset at the US Open by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the second round two years ago and had beaten sixth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur in the second round this year.
Zverev won the final five games of the opening set to take control after just 37 minutes.
He then saved a set point late in the second set before breaking his Dutch opponent to move two sets ahead.
The German completed the victory in the third set, giving himself another relatively early finish after being pushed into the early hours during five-set battles in the opening rounds.
Zverev will face veteran Russian Karen Khachanov for a place in Sunday’s final.
Khachanov advanced after Belgian 21-year-old Alexander Blockx retired from their quarter-final while trailing 6-2, 7-5, 3-2.
“I saw really that he was suffering all over his body,” Khachanov said of Blockx, who had already been close to retiring during his fourth-round victory over Francisco Cerundolo because of a rib injury.
Blockx played Wednesday’s match with one thigh strapped and required medical treatment for a foot problem and lower-back pain.
“I think today my body just gave up,” Blockx said. “I think I finally understand how physical the slams are.”
