The Kazakhstani star recovered from a set down to end the American’s title hopes in a tense three-set battle in New York, and now stands one win away from denying Aryna Sabalenka a third straight US Open crown.

New York — Elena Rybakina produced a gritty comeback to defeat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday and book her place in the US Open final, where she will face two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

The victory is a significant one for Rybakina, who had already knocked Sabalenka out of the world number one ranking simply by reaching the semi-finals. On Saturday, she will try to deal her rival another blow — this time on the biggest stage in American tennis.

“I feel like I definitely need to step my game up, serve much better than today, and stay aggressive,” Rybakina said of her looming clash with Sabalenka, according to Channels TV.

Gauff’s Fast Start

Gauff, bidding to return to the final for the first time since she defeated Sabalenka for the 2023 title, got off to a smooth start. The American seized the initiative in the opening set with a break to go 4-2 up, held to love for a 5-2 lead, and then held in the ninth game to take a one-set lead.

But Rybakina hit back with an early break of serve in the second set, taking a 3-1 lead and holding to go 4-1 up. Gauff responded superbly, clawing her way back into contention with a break to make it 4-3 before holding to square it at 4-4.

Yet she was unable to make the most of her fightback. A double fault in the 10th game handed Rybakina two set points at 15-40, and the Kazakhstani pounced to take the match to a decisive third set.

The Decisive Set

The third set followed a similar pattern. Gauff conceded a break to trail 5-3, leaving Rybakina serving for the match. But the American broke back immediately to make it 5-4 and get it back on serve. Again, though, she was unable to capitalise. A deft volley from Rybakina left her with two match points at 15-40, before Gauff hit a wide-open smash long to hand her opponent victory.

“It was such a cool third set — I feel like I was a little bit lucky on her serve,” Rybakina said. “A couple of deep returns, one mistake from her, and it went quickly my way… it was a real battle”.

What’s at Stake

For Rybakina, Saturday’s final represents a chance to claim a second Grand Slam title and to cap a tournament in which she has already reshaped the top of the women’s game by ending Sabalenka’s reign as world number one.

For Sabalenka, the stakes are equally high. A third consecutive US Open title would cement her legacy as one of the dominant hard-court players of her generation — and a victory over the woman who dethroned her would carry its own satisfaction.

The two have met in some memorable contests in recent years, and Saturday’s final promises to be another. Rybakina’s serve, when firing, is among the most destructive on tour. Sabalenka’s relentless aggression and big-match experience make her a formidable opponent on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The question now is whether Rybakina can back up her semi-final heroics with the performance of her career — or whether Sabalenka will once again prove unbeatable in New York.