The crowd wanted Coco Gauff but got Elena Rybakina instead, tell me about this news in (https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/11/sport/coco-gauff-elena-rybakina-analysis)
11-09-2026
This report centers on the 2026 US Open women’s semifinal showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where home favorite Coco Gauff faced off against Elena Rybakina.Match OverviewThe partisan New York crowd was fully behind the American star, hoping to see Gauff advance to the championship match. However, Rybakina silenced the electric atmosphere, rallying from a set down to defeat Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a high-intensity battle.How the Match Unfolded
- Opening Set: Gauff fed off the crowd’s energy early on, moving sharply, defending aggressively, and capitalizing on Rybakina’s early unforced errors to claim the opening set 6-3.
- Rybakina’s Resurgence: In the second set, Rybakina found her rhythm. Leaning into her powerful flat groundstrokes and big first serve, she neutralized Gauff’s speed and leveled the match at 6-4.
- Decisive Third Set: Rybakina secured a crucial break late in the final set to go up 5-3. Despite Gauff fighting hard and pushing to break back with loud backing from the stands, Rybakina remained composed under pressure, serving out the match 6-4.
- Unflappable Mental Toughness: A central theme of the analysis is Rybakina’s trademark composure. In post-match remarks, Gauff noted how difficult it is to read Rybakina, emphasizing that she never shows emotion or wavers regardless of crowd hostility or scoreboard pressure.
- Rise to World No. 1: With this tournament run and semifinal victory, Rybakina guaranteed her ascent to the WTA World No. 1 ranking, ending Aryna Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of women’s tennis.
- Final Matchup: Rybakina moves on to face Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final, setting up a clash between the tour’s two premier power hitters.