Spectacular comeback: Rybakina defeats Gauff, sets up final with Sabalenka at US Open 2026

Coco Gauff entered Arthur Ashe Stadium as the underdog, but the first set she played like a different person. Powerful forehands, lightning-fast movements left Elena Rybakina struggling. The score was 6-3 in favor of the home player after 36 minutes. The stands erupted. Was a shock brewing? No, it was just a mirage. Rybakina, the Kazakhstan-born Russian player, kept her composure. She stood there, silent as a statue, waiting for her moment. And it came. The second set saw a calculated comeback: Rybakina served more accurately, returned deeper, and capitalized on Gauff's rushed net approaches. She broke in the ninth game to take the set 6-4 after 42 minutes. The match went to a deciding third set. The third set was a Rybakina solo performance. She broke in the very first game, held her lead, and gave Gauff no chance. Powerful serves (average speed 185 km/h) left her opponent helpless. Gauff looked tired and unfocused, committing frequent unforced errors. Final score 6-4, Rybakina won 2-1 to book a final berth against Aryna Sabalenka, who had defeated Madison Keys in the other semifinal. Looking back, the difference was composure and patience. Gauff played brilliantly in the first set, but that seemed to be her peak. Once Rybakina adjusted her tactics – targeting Gauff's backhand weakness and pulling her out of her comfort zone – the match turned. Statistics show Rybakina won 78% of first-serve points in sets two and three, compared to Gauff's 55%. She also won 12/16 net approaches, while Gauff won only 5/12. The match was expected to be a thrilling back-and-forth, but it ended rather one-sidedly after the first set. Fans may have been disappointed by the comeback that wasn't as dramatic as hoped – Rybakina dominated too easily. Perhaps Gauff lacked the stamina to maintain high intensity, or simply felt the weight of playing at home. Either way, Rybakina's victory was well-deserved. Now all attention turns to the final: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka. This will be a showdown between two of the WTA's most powerful players. Rybakina, Wimbledon 2026 champion, has been impressive at this US Open, dropping no sets before the semifinals. Sabalenka, currently world No.2 and winner of the 2026 and 2026 Australian Opens, is a strong favorite. Head-to-head favors Sabalenka 5-2, but Rybakina won their last meeting in Stuttgart 2026. The final promises a feast of thunderous serves and baseline rallies. Both prefer attacking play, but Sabalenka has more variety with her net skills. However, Rybakina is on a hot streak and mentally strong. Can she win her first US Open? Or will Sabalenka assert her world No.1 status? The answer will come this weekend. Regardless of the result, US Open 2026 has witnessed top-class performances. And Rybakina's comeback over Gauff will be one of the tournament's most memorable moments.