Gauff Reaches US Open Semis, Rybakina Becomes World No. 1

Coco Gauff battled back from the brink of defeat to reach the U.S. Open semifinals, saving two match points in a dramatic comeback victory over Mirra Andreeva. Gauff secured her spot in the final four with a 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 win on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and will face Elena Rybakina in the next round. Rybakina, the tournament's second seed, also advanced to the semifinals by defeating Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. With her semifinal berth, Rybakina is guaranteed to ascend to the world No. 1 ranking when the WTA standings are updated on Monday, September 14, 2026, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top of women's tennis. Gauff's quarterfinal match was a tense affair. After dropping the first set, she found herself in a precarious position in the second-set tiebreak, facing two match points. Drawing inspiration from fellow American Frances Tiafoe's comeback victory the previous day, Gauff managed to save both match points and force a decider. She then dominated the third set, winning ten of the final twelve games to complete the turnaround. "I just had to reset.