'Just a number' - Rybakina set to become new world number one

Elena Rybakina is set to become the new WTA world number one on Monday, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top of women's tennis. The change was confirmed after Rybakina battled past China's Zheng Qinwen 3-6 6-1 6-4 in the US Open quarter-finals, dropping a set for the first time in the tournament but recovering to save a break point in the decider and close out the win.

The achievement makes Rybakina the first Kazakhstani man or woman to reach the top of the singles world rankings. She had spent the season chasing Sabalenka, arriving in New York as one of three challengers - alongside Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff - with a mathematical chance of taking over at number one. However, the other contenders each needed to win the title themselves while hoping Rybakina fell before the semi-finals, an outcome that did not materialise.

Sabalenka's reign, which began on 21 October 2024, ranks as the sixth-longest in WTA history. The two players could still meet in the US Open final, a repeat of this year's Australian Open final, which Rybakina won in three sets.

Rybakina played down the significance of the ranking itself, saying her focus remains on winning tournaments and noting how quickly fortunes can change in tennis. She will face either Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva in Thursday's semi-final, while Sabalenka meets Pegula.

Rybakina's climb began in late 2025, when a quarter-final loss to Sabalenka in Wuhan was followed by a title in Ningbo and then victory over Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals. She carried that form into 2026, beating Sabalenka again in the Australian Open final to claim her second Grand Slam title, having first won at Wimbledon. Since then, results between the pair have gone back and forth, with Sabalenka winning in Indian Wells and Miami while Rybakina triumphed in Stuttgart. Rybakina reached the Toronto final before losing to Iga Swiatek, and was later forced to retire injured against Swiatek in Cincinnati because of an ankle problem that had troubled her for some time.

Despite managing that injury heading into the US Open, Rybakina has remained one of the tour's most consistent performers, backed by a powerful serve that leads the WTA Tour in aces this season.