NEW YORK (Reuters) – Elena Rybakina entered the U.S. Open final on Saturday with a clear mindset: no extra pressure. The 27‑year‑old Kazakh, who will assume the world No. 1 ranking on Monday, described the showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka as another opportunity to test herself against a rival who pushes her to the limit.
Semifinal triumph over Gauff
Rybakina earned her place in the title match by rallying past American sensation Coco Gauff, 3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑4, in a thrilling semifinal on Thursday. The win set up a repeat of the 2023 Australian Open final, where Sabalenka had prevailed, and the 2024 Melbourne Park final, which Rybakina won.
Mindset for the final
“It’s an important match, and since it’s a final, I feel like it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side,” Rybakina said. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, because we’re very close in the rankings. Even if something goes wrong in the final, I’ll still have other opportunities and other tournaments until the end of the year.”
She added that competing against Sabalenka helps both players improve: “We push each other when we play these matches, and you can clearly see what you need to work on. It’s great to play against someone who pushes you to the limit.”
Team support and season focus
Rybakina credited her team for keeping her in top form after a busy year that included an Australian Open title. “It definitely helps. There’s been a lot going on in the previous year outside of the court,” she noted.
She emphasized that her focus is now entirely on tennis. “I can’t always perform at my best; there are ups and downs, but we’ve been making the right decisions in certain situations. Every day is a challenge.”
Rybakina also acknowledged the physical toll of the tour. “I’m not getting younger, and physically some things always come up. All those factors, plus the experience from years on tour, have led to these kinds of results.”
What’s at stake
The final offers Rybakina a chance to capture her third Grand Slam crown and solidify her position at the top of the women’s game. For Sabalenka, a repeat victory would reinforce her dominance as the defending champion and maintain her hold on the No. 2 spot.
Both athletes have expressed respect for each other’s game, promising a high‑quality contest for fans in Flushing Meadows and viewers worldwide.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
