Rybakina Reaches US Open Semi-Finals

Elena Rybakina beat Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals and, with it, the world number one ranking.

"I probably didn't show my best tennis, but I am very glad I managed to get through all of that. So much was going through my head. There was certainly an inner battle, but I am glad I drove away all the negative thoughts and kept fighting," said Rybakina at her press conference.

Top spot in the rankings follows automatically from the result, but Rybakina played down its importance.

"Number one in the rankings is, of course, one of the goals. But I think the main focus for me and my team is to win titles, and the ranking will follow. We take it match by match, but it's obvious we want to win tournaments. That's what I would call the main goal," she added.

Rybakina will face either Mirra Andreeva of Russia or Coco Gauff of the United States for a place in the final.