Coco Gauff Crashes Out of US Open as Rybakina Reaches Final

Coco Gauff's hopes of lifting a second US Open title came to a dramatic end on Thursday night after Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down to defeat the American 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 in a gripping semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 22-year-old Gauff made a flying start, using her powerful serve and relentless court coverage to claim the opening set. But Rybakina gradually wrestled control of the contest, raising the quality of her serving while repeatedly exposing Gauff's forehand under pressure to complete a remarkable comeback.

The victory sends Rybakina into the US Open final, where she will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a meeting between two of the WTA Tour's most formidable hard-court players. The result also guarantees Rybakina will become the new world No. 1 when the rankings are updated next week, regardless of the final's outcome.

For Gauff, the defeat ends an impressive summer resurgence rather than a disappointing campaign. She arrived in New York riding strong form, reached the Wimbledon semifinals, captured the Cincinnati title and extended her winning streak deep into the year's final Grand Slam. Her run to the last four reaffirmed her place among the sport's elite despite falling short of another home triumph.

Speaking after the match, Gauff acknowledged the frustration of missing out on the final but insisted she leaves New York encouraged by the progress in her game. She said the tournament reinforced her belief that continued improvement, not perfection, is what will keep her competing for major titles in the years ahead.

The semifinal also marked the end of American hopes in the women's singles draw. Earlier in the day, Jessica Pegula was eliminated by Sabalenka, meaning there will be no American woman in the US Open final for the first time in two decades.

Rybakina, meanwhile, continues one of the finest seasons of her career. Calm under pressure and devastating behind her first serve, she has now reached another Grand Slam final and stands one victory away from adding the US Open crown to her growing list of major achievements.

While Gauff exits before the championship match, her performance throughout the tournament suggests her ambitions remain firmly intact. As women's tennis enters a new era defined by fierce rivalries at the top, the American remains one of the leading figures shaping the sport's future alongside Rybakina and Sabalenka.