Rybakina storms into US Open final after Gauff comeback

Elena Rybakina came from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on early Friday and reach the US Open final, where she will face two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.

Rybakina overcame a slow start against Gauff before taking control of the semifinal. After losing the opening set 6-3, she recovered to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-4 and book her place in the US Open final.

Gauff made the stronger start, breaking Rybakina to move 4-2 ahead before holding comfortably to extend her lead to 5-2. The American then served out the set to take a 6-3 advantage.

Rybakina responded immediately in the second set, breaking early to move 3-1 ahead and eventually taking a 4-1 lead. Gauff fought back with a break to reduce the deficit to 4-3 before holding serve to level the set at 4-4.

However, Gauff could not complete the comeback. She double-faulted in the 10th game to give Rybakina two set points at 15-40, and the Kazakh took her chance to force a deciding set.

How did Rybakina seal her place in the US Open final?

The third set followed a similar pattern, with Rybakina breaking to move 5-3 ahead and put herself within one game of victory. Gauff immediately responded by breaking back to make it 5-4 and keep the semifinal alive.

Rybakina refused to let the opportunity slip away, however, and created two match points at 15-40 with a well-executed volley. Gauff then sent an open smash long, handing Rybakina the victory.

"It was such a cool third set," Rybakina said after the match. "I feel like I was a little bit lucky on her serve. A couple of deep returns, one mistake from her, it went quickly my way... it was a real battle."

Rybakina also acknowledged the home crowd's support for Gauff and said she focused on remaining aggressive and composed during the deciding set.

"I know you guys wanted Coco to win, and I think it was really a battle, and really it went my way," she said on court. "I was just trying to still be focused, try to stay aggressive, and somehow won the match."

Who will Rybakina face in the US Open final?

Rybakina will face top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's US Open final. Sabalenka is bidding for a third consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

The final will also be a rematch of this year's Australian Open championship match, where Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in three sets to claim the title.

Rybakina had already secured the world No. 1 ranking by reaching the US Open semifinals, ending Sabalenka's latest spell at the top. She can now add another Grand Slam title to her season by beating Sabalenka again in Saturday's final.