Coco Gauff produced a stunning comeback to save two match points against Mirra Andreeva, securing her place in the US Open semi-finals where she will face incoming world number one Elena Rybakina.
The fourth seed was comprehensively outplayed in the opening 26 minutes, losing the first set 6-2. She faced significant pressure in the second set, trailing by a break on two separate occasions before forcing a tie-break. Gauff held her nerve in the 16-point decider, winning 9-7, before dominating the third set 6-2 for a 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory.
Gauff credited her resilience to the inspiration drawn from compatriot Frances Tiafoe’s recent comeback win. “At the end of the first set I was thinking about Frances and how he came back yesterday,” she said. “Honestly, I was just trying to leave the court with no regrets.”
The result marks Gauff’s second consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearance and her first at the US Open since her 2023 title triumph. It also ensures that the top four seeds have reached the final four of a major tournament for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009.
Despite the win, Gauff acknowledged it was not her best tennis, committing 42 unforced errors compared to just 22 winners. Former British number one Annabel Croft praised Gauff’s mental fortitude, noting her transformation from a defensive player to a match controller in the deciding set.
Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina became the first Kazakhstani player, male or female, to reach the world number one ranking. The second seed recovered from dropping the first set to defeat Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. By reaching the semi-finals, Rybakina secured the ranking ahead of Aryna Sabalenka, achieving one of her two main objectives for the tournament.
Zheng, the reigning Olympic champion, delivered a remarkable performance despite the loss. Ranked 121st entering the event following elbow surgery in July 2025, she navigated three qualifying rounds and upset higher-ranked opponents including Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek. Zheng is now ranked 52nd, though her run ended in a tight three-set battle against Rybakina.
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