Elena Rybakina reaches US Open semi-finals and clinches world No.1 for Kazakhstan

Elena Rybakina, the second seed who withdrew from the Cincinnati tournament due to injury, returned to form by beating Zheng Qinwen to book a U.S. Open semi-final berth. The victory ensures she will ascend to world No. 1 when the rankings are refreshed, making her the first player representing Kazakhstan to hold the top spot. Rybakina, a Russian-born athlete who switched allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018, previously won Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open this year.

She now faces 2023 champion Coco Gauff for a chance to contest the final. Kazakhstan Tennis Federation President Bulat Utemuratov hailed the achievement as a historic day that will inspire the nation’s next generation of players.