US Open 2026: Elena Rybakina Outlasts Coco Gauff To Set Up Epic Final Against Aryna Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina staged a remarkable comeback on Friday, September 11, 2026, defeating American Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling US Open semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Kazakhstani star's victory sets up an epic championship clash against Aryna Sabalenka, who dominated Jessica Pegula in her semi-final match.
Elena Rybakina, the second seed from Kazakhstan, delivered a masterclass in mental fortitude on Friday, September 11, 2026, overcoming a challenging start to defeat American hope Coco Gauff in a thrilling US Open semi-final. The 27-year-old Rybakina recovered from losing the opening set to clinch a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium, earning her spot in the highly anticipated final against Aryna Sabalenka. US Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka Powers Past Jessica Pegula to Reach Final, Eyes Historic Three-Peat.
World No 1 Reaches US Open Final
Six down, one to go.
Elena Rybakina will play for her first US Open title! pic.twitter.com/Rk6dGqDnzR
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2026
The match, a true spectacle under the Flushing Meadows lights, saw Gauff, 22, electrify the home crowd early on, breaking Rybakina's serve and capitalising on a slightly hesitant start from the Kazakhstani. Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, displayed her characteristic athleticism and fighting spirit, dictating play with aggressive groundstrokes to take the first set comfortably.
However, Rybakina steadily found her rhythm. Her powerful serve and penetrating forehand began to click, turning the tide in the second set. She broke Gauff at a crucial juncture, levelling the match and silencing the partisan crowd. The deciding set was a tense affair, with both players trading blows, but it was Rybakina's experience and ability to perform under pressure that ultimately shone through as she secured the hard-fought victory. US Open 2026: Alexander Zverev Dominates Botic van de Zandschulp to Reach Semis.
Sabalenka Storms into Final
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka, the 28-year-old Belarusian and current world No. 1, wasted no time in securing her place in the final, blitzing past Jessica Pegula. While no specific score was available for this particular match, Sabalenka's dominant performance underscored her prowess.
Sabalenka's path to the final has been marked by relentless power and precision. Pegula, 32, a consistent performer, put up a valiant effort but ultimately could not withstand Sabalenka's onslaught. US Open 2026: Ben Shelton Topples Defending Champion Carlos Alcaraz in Five-Set Flushing Meadows Classic.
Head-to-Head Records
Here's a look at the head-to-head statistics for the semi-finalists involved:
Elena Rybakina vs. Coco Gauff (Pre-match H2H)
| Player | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Elena Rybakina | 1 | 1 |
| Coco Gauff | 1 | 1 |
Prior to today's match, their head-to-head was tied at 1-1. Today's victory now puts Rybakina ahead 2-1.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Pegula (Pre-match H2H)
| Player | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Aryna Sabalenka | 9 | 4 |
| Jessica Pegula | 4 | 9 |
Sabalenka led their head-to-head 9-4 going into their semi-final match today.
The Final Showdown
The upcoming final between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka promises to be an explosive encounter between two of the game's most powerful players. Rybakina will be seeking her first US Open title, while Sabalenka aims for another triumph in New York. Tennis fans are eagerly anticipating a high-stakes battle for the final Grand Slam title of the year.
With both players demonstrating exceptional form and power throughout the tournament, the final is set to be a thrilling conclusion to the women's singles event at the US Open.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 10:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
