OFFICIAL: Asian tennis star rises to world number one

(US Open 2026 Result) Elena Rybakina ends Zheng Qinwen's magical run, securing a spot in the semifinals and guaranteeing she will become the WTA world number one for the first time.

Kazakhstan player Elena Rybakina defeated "the Comeback Queen" Zheng Qinwen with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open 2026 quarterfinals. This result not only sends the second seed into the final four but also ensures she will overtake world number one Aryna Sabalenka when the WTA rankings are updated after the tournament.

Rybakina started poorly against Zheng Qinwen's confidence. The Chinese player constantly applied pressure with decisive shots from the baseline, while showing composure in the lengthy ninth game by saving five break points.

After escaping the most difficult moment, Zheng Qinwen capitalized on the momentum to close out the first set with a 6-3 win. However, she could not maintain that intensity as Rybakina began to find her rhythm.

The Australian Open champion aggressively pushed up the pace and repeatedly forced her opponent into a defensive stance. Rybakina recorded 10 winners in the second set, while Zheng Qinwen won only one game and quickly lost 1-6.

The deciding set was more tense as Zheng Qinwen once again displayed her resilient fighting ability. She saved three break points in the penultimate game, making Rybakina visibly anxious on several occasions.

However, the escape that had helped the Chinese player stage dramatic comebacks against Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek did not repeat itself. Rybakina continued to apply pressure and seized the decisive opportunity to win the third set 6-4, thus concluding the match in three sets.

"I'm really happy that I managed to push aside negative thoughts and keep fighting. Being world number one is a great achievement, but in tennis, things can change quickly. I just want to focus on my game, try to recover, and enjoy tomorrow," Rybakina shared.

The Kazakh player finished the match with 20 winners. Although she admitted she was not at her best, she overcame a slow start to reach the US Open semifinals for the first time and hit the biggest milestone of her career on the WTA rankings.

Meanwhile, Zheng Qinwen wraps up an emotional comeback journey in New York. A chronic elbow injury once disrupted the Olympic champion's career and forced her to start the tournament from the qualifying rounds.

Zheng Qinwen became the first female player to go from qualifying to the US Open quarterfinals since Emma Raducanu's championship run in 2021. Though she could not produce another comeback, she left the court to applause from the crowd.

In the semifinals, Rybakina will face Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.