Rybakina becomes world No. 1 and prepares for U.S. Open final against Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina moved to world No. 1 after defeating Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the U.S. Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. The 27-year-old, who was born in Moscow and now represents Kazakhstan, will face Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.

Rybakina, who captured the Australian Open title earlier this season, said she views the ranking change as a milestone but remains focused on winning the upcoming match. > "It’s a great achievement, and I feel like you will appreciate and think about it even more when you finish your career," she told reporters. > "I want to win the titles still in tournaments, so all my thoughts are just for the next match."

The new ranking makes Rybakina the first Kazakhstani player to top the WTA list. She has recorded 48 tour wins this year, the second-most after Jessica Pegula’s 50. Her coach, Stefano Vukov, who was temporarily barred by the WTA in 2025 over alleged misconduct, returned to the tour after an appeal and continues to work with her in New York.

Sabalenka, who has spent 99 weeks at No. 1, entered the final after defeating Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. A loss would mark her first year without a Grand Slam title since 2022. Other top players, including Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek and Mirra Andreeva, have also experienced mixed results this season.