Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina is set to become the new world No. 1 in women’s tennis after reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 US Open and ending Aryna Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the WTA rankings.
Rybakina secured the historic achievement after battling back from a set down to defeat China’s Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarter-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday. The victory also earned the 27-year-old her first US Open semi-final appearance.
The WTA confirmed that Rybakina will officially become world No. 1 when the updated rankings are released on Monday, September 14, following the conclusion of the US Open. She will become the 30th woman in WTA history to reach the top ranking and the first player, male or female, from Kazakhstan to achieve the feat.
Rybakina, who was the No. 2 seed at the US Open, had entered the tournament with a chance of overtaking Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the rankings. Her run to the last four, however, made it impossible for the other contenders to deny her the top spot.
Sabalenka, the two-time defending US Open champion, had held the No. 1 position since October 2024. Her latest run at the summit included 99 consecutive weeks, one of the longest uninterrupted reigns in WTA history.
Rybakina said the achievement was difficult to put into words after her quarter-final victory, but stressed that her immediate focus remained on winning the tournament rather than the ranking.
The Kazakh player will face American Coco Gauff in the US Open semi-final after Gauff recovered from a set down to defeat Russia’s Mirra Andreeva. The other semi-final will see Sabalenka take on third seed Jessica Pegula.
Rybakina’s rise to the summit adds another major milestone to a season that has already seen her win the Australian Open. She will now attempt to crown her first appearance as world No. 1 with another Grand Slam title in New York.
