Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Sep 9

Rybakina Clinches WTA No. 1 With US Open Semifinal, Ending Sabalenka's 99-Week Reign

Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Sep 9

Rybakina Clinches WTA No. 1 With US Open Semifinal, Ending Sabalenka's 99-Week Reign

Q: Could losing her historic 99-week hold on the No. 1 ranking actually relieve pressure and help Aryna Sabalenka win the US Open?

Yes — losing No. 1 could ease some of the mental burden on Aryna Sabalenka and, at least in theory, help her at the US Open. The main reason is that the rankings fight is now settled. Once Elena Rybakina beat Zheng Qinwen, Sabalenka no longer had to carry the extra pressure of defending both a title and the top spot at the same time. Sabalenka herself has said she would rather win a third straight US Open than keep No. 1, and after Rybakina clinched the ranking she publicly framed it calmly, saying there was “not much I could do” and that her focus had to remain on herself and the tournament. That matters because Sabalenka’s results often track her emotional state. Recent reporting has shown how openly she processes pressure, disappointment and momentum swings. When she is clear-minded, her level in New York has been exceptional: she is a two-time defending champion, has built a long winning streak at Flushing Meadows, and looked dominant in the semifinal against Jessica Pegula. Pegula described that performance as one of Sabalenka’s best of the year. Still, relief does not automatically translate into victory. Losing No. 1 can also sting, especially after a 99-week reign, and Rybakina is the player who directly benefited and has already beaten Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final this season at the Australian Open. So the ranking loss could free Sabalenka mentally, but only if she turns it into focus rather than frustration. Her form suggests that is possible.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Sep 9

3-6, 6-1, 6-4 over Zheng Qinwen sent Elena Rybakina into her first US Open semifinal and guaranteed she will rise to No. 1 when the new rankings are released Monday.
That result ends Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week stay atop the WTA rankings regardless of what happens in the remaining semifinal and final matches.
Rybakina, the Australian Open champion, next faces No. 4 Coco Gauff or No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, while Sabalenka meets No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the other semifinal.
Zheng, ranked No. 121 after returning from elbow surgery via qualifying, is assured of moving back into the top 60 after a run that included comeback wins over Madison Keys and No. 8 Iga Swiatek.