Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Elena Rybakina has clinched the world No.1 spot after beating Zheng Qinwen to power into the US Open semi-finals.
Rybakina’s 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory in New York on Wednesday ensures the 27-year-old from Kazakhstan will usurp Aryna Sabalenka, whose 99-week reign at the top of the rankings will end on Monday.
Australian Open champ Rybakina has been chasing down Sabalenka all year and will hit the top spot for the first time in her career even if the Belarusian goes on to win a third consecutive title at the weekend.
Rybakina, though, will have something to say about that as well, having reached the last-four at Flushing Meadows for the first time.
Having retired injured from the Cincinnati tune-up tournament when it appeared she may not even compete in New York, Rybakina was understandably thrilled.
“It’s tough to find words,” she said. “It wasn’t maybe the highest level but I’m glad I pushed through.
“It’s just a number right now, I’m only in the semis and the goal is to win every tournament I play,” she said.
“I feel like I just need to focus on my game and enjoy tomorrow.”
Rybakina dropped a set for the first time this fortnight but hit back strongly in the second.
Then Zheng’s near 12 hours on court, through three qualifying matches and five in the main draw, finally caught up with her in the decider as Rybakina finally prevailed.
Still, Zheng is now back on the verge of the top 50, having slipped to 121 after a chronic elbow injury disrupted her career.
Rybakina recovered from a slow start and struck 20 winners as she gradually broke down the Chinese star’s resistance.
“World number one is an amazing achievement but you know how quick everything can change in tennis… I just need to focus on my game, try to recover and enjoy tomorrow,” smiled Rybakina, who will next play either French Open champ Mirra Andreeva or 2023 winner Coco Gauff.
