NEW YORK : Second seed Elena Rybakina ended Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen’s impressive U.S. Open run with a 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory on Wednesday, reaching the semi-finals and securing the world number one ranking for the first time.
The Australian Open champion, who will replace Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the rankings after the tournament, recovered from a slow start and gradually wore down Olympic champion Zheng with 20 winners.
Zheng, who was forced to qualify after a chronic elbow injury disrupted her career, earned widespread applause as she left the court following a memorable run in New York.
The Chinese saved five break points in a marathon ninth game before closing out the opening set, but her level dropped sharply in the second. She produced only one winner as Rybakina struck 10 to level the match.
Zheng fought to stay in contention in the deciding set, saving three break points in the penultimate game to frustrate Rybakina. But there was no further escape for the qualifier, who surrendered the decisive break with a double fault.
“The wins that I had so far were great, but obviously today in the match I got a lot of chances in the third set, but I didn’t take it,” Zheng said. “But obviously I could take positive things from the U.S. Open this year.”
For Rybakina, the victory marked another milestone after she retired injured at the Cincinnati tournament and had appeared doubtful to compete in New York.
“It’s tough to find words,” Rybakina said. “It wasn’t maybe the highest level but I’m glad I pushed through.”
“I’m glad I pushed all the negative thoughts away and I kept on fighting,” she added.
Rybakina will face either fifth seed Mirra Andreeva or 2023 champion Coco Gauff in the semi-finals.
