Rybakina clinches world No.1 spot with US Open quarterfinal win
Elena Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open quarterfinals, guaranteeing she will rise to world No.1 for the first time. At 27, she becomes the second-oldest woman to debut at the top of the WTA rankings, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week hold on the position.
Rybakina dropped the opening set before storming back to defeat Zheng Qinwen, booking her place in a semifinal clash with Coco Gauff at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory carried historic weight beyond the semifinal berth, as the result mathematically secured her ascent to the top of the WTA rankings.
At 27, Rybakina will debut at world No.1, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week reign atop the women's game. She becomes the second-oldest woman ever to first reach the No.1 ranking, a milestone that caps a steady climb through the tour's elite.
Rybakina's breakthrough could reshape the WTA's competitive narrative, demonstrating that sustained excellence rather than early dominance can still lead to the sport's pinnacle. Her rise may inspire veteran players who have yet to reach No.1, while also shifting media attention toward the tour's older generation. Sabalenka's lengthy reign ending could alter fan expectations around rankings stability, potentially increasing interest in the race for the top spot as the season concludes.