US Open: Top prize better than ranking rise, says new No. 1 Rybakina

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan returns to China’s Qinwen Zheng in New York on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

[popcorn number="99" desc="Consecutive number of weeks Aryna Sabalenka reigned at No. 1" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="2hr, 14min" desc="Time taken by Rybakina to beat China's Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="30" desc="No. of players, including Rybakina, who have reached the WTA World No. 1 ranking" class="Default"]

Elena Rybakina ended Zheng Qinwen's spirited US Open run on Wednesday, guaranteeing her rise to World No. 1 as she booked a semi-final showdown with Coco Gauff.

Rybakina beat Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and is assured of ending Aryna Sabalenka's reign atop the standings - even if the Belarusian wins a third straight title. "It's just a number right now," Rybakina said.

"It's a different achievement... but mostly you think about the titles in the end of the day." Therefore the 27-year-old Kazakh star will be focused on Coco Gauff, who saved two match points in a 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 victory over Mirra Andreeva.

Rybakina, the first Kazakh player to reach No. 1, is chasing a third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open in January - four years after winning Wimbledon. "I feel like you will appreciate and think about it even more when you finish your career," she said of the ranking.
"Like now, you still need to keep on going."

Reigning Olympic champion Zheng, a former World No. 4 ranked No. 121 after missing about eight months due to elbow surgery, went through qualifying and won seven matches in New York, including comeback wins over six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and former Australian Open winner Madison Keys. She rocked Rybakina early behind fierce serve and a variety of shots, effectively neutralising the Kazakh's power until a slight dip allowed Rybakina to seize control in the second set.

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