Rybakina rallies to defeat Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 for maiden US Open semis

Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium as the world #2 for her maiden US Open quarterfinal. After 2 1/4 hours, she exited as a semifinalist and the world number one.
Aryna Sabalenka, though still in the tournament, has been dethroned after reigning at the top of the sport for ninety-nine weeks. Rybakina had been nursing an Achilles injury since the Cincinnati Open but looked sharp in her three-set slugfest with former world #4, Zheng Qinwen.

The twenty-three-year-old from China had elbow surgery in July of 2025 and returned to competition this past February. During that time, her ranking had dropped precipitously to #160.
She entered the final slam of the season ranked #121 and will crack the top sixty following a remarkable run to the final eight. The 2024 Olympic champion won three matches in the qualifying tournament before dispatching the 22nd seed, Madison Keys, and the 8th seed, Iga Swiatek.

Zheng served first and, with two winners held at love, Rybakina served an ace up the tee to hold at love to level. Zheng led 40-15 but faced deuce before holding with an incredible inside-in forehand and an ace up the tee.

Rybakina opened the fourth with a terrific inside-out backhand and though she missed four consecutive first serves including a double fault, held to 30 for 2-2. Zheng held at love for 3-2 following four consecutive unforced errors from her opponent. Rybakina missed 4/5 first serves yet easily to 15 to level at three while Zheng missed 3/4 first serves and held to love.

Rybakina donated three forehand errors, the last to dump serve. Zheng served for the set, and though she struck two spectacular aces, she donated two consecutive double faults, faced seven deuce and five break points before clinching it with a well-placed serve up the tee. Both left the court following the conclusion of the set.

Rybakina served first in the second and, with a monster serve up the tee held at love, while Zheng faced two deuce, break point and dropped serve when Rybakina crushed a crosscourt forehand.
The reigning Australian Open champion missed 4/6 first serves, including a double fault, but with an ace out wide, held to 30 to consolidate the break for 3-0. Zheng got on the board with a love hold while Rybakina faced break point and deuce but held for 4-1 with a colossal serve up the tee.

Zheng missed four consecutive first serves, faced double break point, and dumped serve following two outstanding forehand winners from her opponent. Rybakina served for the set and though she missed two consecutive forehands, secured it 6-1 with a 119mph serve out wide.

Zheng served first in the decider and held easily to 15 while Rybakina struck two additional winners, including an ace out wide on game point to level. Zheng hit a 113mph ace up the tee and, with an unreturnable serve out wide, held to 30 for 2-1 while Rybakina made 2/4 first serves and held to love to level.

Zheng opened the fifth with a potent serve up the tee and though she faced two deuce and break point, held for 3-2 with a blistering backhand down the line. Rybakina struck two terrific forehands and held to love for parity.

Zheng opened the seventh with a remarkable crosscourt forehand and held easily to 15 while Rybakina faced break point and deuce yet held for 4-4 with two consecutive winners.

Zheng missed four consecutive first serves, and it was costly; she faced four break points and conceded the game with two unforced errors, including a double fault. Rybakina served for the match and a place in the final four. She made 3/5 first serves and secured victory and the #1 ranking when Zheng netted a forehand.

In the penultimate round, she’ll encounter a formidable opponent. Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam title in 2023 at the US Open. The fourth seed took their first tour-level meeting in a tight three-setter four years ago at the National Bank Open, while Rybakina defeated her in three at the same event last month.