Elena Rybakina Overtakes Aryna Sabalenka to Become World No. 1

Elena Rybakina will become the new world No. 1 after beating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the US Open semi-finals. The 2026 Australian Open champion recovered from a difficult opening set in a match that lasted two hours and 14 minutes. She said nerves, the sun and the change from night matches made the contest challenging, but she fought through the pressure. Rybakina becomes world No. 1 for the first time, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week run at the top of the WTA rankings. She will face either Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals as she pursues the US Open title.

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