Elena Rybakina ensured a rise to the world number one ranking for the first time in her career by defeating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in Wednesday’s US Open quarter-finals. “Of course I’m in the semis. It’s an amazing achievement (but) during the match I feel like I just need to focus on my game.”
The 27-year-old Kazakh star rallied to defeat China’s Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 after two hours and 14 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium, ensuring she will replace Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus atop next week’s rankings.
“It’s just a number right now,” Rybakina said after the match.
Elena Rybakina ensured a rise to the world number one ranking for the first time in her career by defeating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in Wednesday’s US Open quarter-finals.
“It’s tough to find words. It was a difficult match… “It has been an early match. In my head I was complaining about the shadow … I’m glad I pushed all the negative thoughts away. I just kept telling myself: ‘Keep fighting’.”
I didn’t start that well, I was too much negative,” said Rybakina, who had played all of her prior matches at night.
