Much hung in the balance for Elena Rybakina as she faced Qinwen Zheng in Wednesday’s quarterfinal clash. A win would not just bring Rybakina closer to capturing her inaugural US Open crown, but it would also elevate her to the summit of the women’s tennis world rankings.
Aryna Sabalenka must now step aside, having officially been unseated. By securing a three-set victory over Zheng (3-6, 6-1, 6-4) on Wednesday, Rybakina kept her dreams of a US Open championship alive and claimed her place as the new global No. 1.
For the last 99 weeks, Sabalenka had commanded the top spot. However, her premature tournament exits alongside Rybakina’s stellar form meant that leadership was up for grabs on Wednesday. Rybakina required only a victory against Zheng to claim the crown. Although it proved to be a grueling battle, Rybakina ultimately triumphed.
This achievement represents the very first time Rybakina has reached the world No. 1 ranking in her professional career.
Elena Rybakina targets US Open glory
This run also represents her deepest ever foray into the US Open draw. Previously, her best performance in New York occurred the prior year, when she was eliminated in the round of 16.
Historically, Flushing Meadows has been the most challenging major tournament for Rybakina. Ahead of Wednesday’s showdown, her career match-win rate at the tournament sat at a modest 57 percent.
This latest triumph not only seals her status as the game’s current premier female player but also positions her to chase a third Major trophy. Having already claimed titles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, a victory in New York would mean only Roland Garros stands between her and a career Grand Slam.
The path forward remains daunting. Following her tight victory over Zheng, Rybakina is set to face formidable competition ahead, with most of the tournament’s top-seeded female players successfully booking their spots in the final eight.
Reflecting her newly acquired top status, Rybakina looks prepared to handle any obstacle thrown her way—even when forced to mount a comeback.
Qinwen Zheng edges Elena Rybakina to claim opening set
This resilience was put to the test on Wednesday, as both competitors traded blows in a thrilling opening set, keeping things level through the first seven games. Zheng made the critical breakthrough in the eighth game, breaking Rybakina’s serve to pull ahead 5-3. Rybakina threatened an immediate break back in the following game, winning three of the opening four points, but Zheng fought her way back to push the game to deuce.
A tense struggle ensued, with the players collectively holding advantage seven times before Zheng finally sealed the game, taking the opening set 6-3.
Each competitor struggled with their serving accuracy early on, with both landing fewer than half of their first serves. Zheng, however, made better use of her power, firing four aces compared to Rybakina’s single ace during the first set.
Elena Rybakina finds her rhythm in the second set
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. Rybakina dialed in her serve, whereas Zheng’s first-serve success rate plummeted. Over the course of the set, Rybakina landed 58 percent of her first serves, while Zheng managed only 38 percent. Even though Rybakina’s performance wasn’t entirely clean—marred by several unforced errors and a pair of double faults—the scoreboard reflected total dominance.
Rybakina comfortably secured the second set 6-1, breaking her opponent’s serve twice to level the match and force a deciding third set.
Rybakina clinches victory following a high-stakes final set
The tension peaked in the final set as both athletes raised their level. With their first serves finding the mark consistently, Rybakina and Zheng went game-for-game to stand level at 4-4.
The crucial breakthrough arrived in the ninth game, where Rybakina managed to break Zheng’s serve, earning the opportunity to serve for the match in the tenth game.
She seized the moment, successfully holding her serve to eliminate Zheng—a competitor known for upsetting top-tier players in this tournament—and secure her spot in the semifinals.
Despite falling short, Zheng demonstrated that she is rediscovering her peak performance following early 2026 injury struggles. After bowing out in the first round of both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, her play mirrored the stellar form that earned her Olympic gold in 2024. Reclaiming this level of play should help Zheng rebuild her ranking after physical setbacks caused her to slip.
Meanwhile, Rybakina’s focus remains firmly on the ultimate prize. Winning the Grand Slam title would be the perfect way to validate her ascent to the top. A victory here would silence any doubters and cement her status as the undisputed world No. 1.
