Rybakina ends Sabalenka's 99-week reign as world No. 1
Elena Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to become world No. 1, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week run at the top.
Elena Rybakina claimed the world No. 1 ranking after her quarter-final win over Zheng Qinwen at the US Open on Thursday morning. Rybakina becomes the first player from Kazakhstan to hold the ranking.
Rybakina lost the first set but recovered to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a match that started barely eight hours after a men's quarter-final had finished. Sabalenka held the top spot for 99 weeks, the longest reign by any player since Ash Barty retired in 2022.
Coco Gauff also advanced to the semi-finals, defeating Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2. For the first time since Wimbledon 2009, all four top seeds have reached the semi-finals of a grand slam.
- 99 weeks
- Sabalenka's reign
- 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
- Rybakina's victory score
- Ash Barty's 2022 retirement
- Longest reign since
- Elena Rybakina
- First from Kazakhstan
Why it mattersRybakina's ascent reshapes the women's game and breaks a two-year cycle of two dominant players trading the No. 1 spot.
AustraliaAustralian fans have a strong Australian connection to these players through media coverage and broadcast scheduling; the US Open semi-finals will air Friday night AEST.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 19 h ago
