Sports Tennis

'Just a number' - Rybakina's rise to world number one

'Just a number' - Rybakina's rise to world number one
Photo: BBC
After 99 weeks, there will be a new women's world number one - and it will be Elena Rybakina.

Rybakina confirmed she will replace Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings on Monday with her US Open quarter-final victory over China's Zheng Qinwen.

Despite losing a set for the first time in the tournament, Rybakina fought back and saved a break point in the deciding set to complete a 3-6 6-1 6-4 win.

She is the first Kazakhstani man or woman to reach the top of the singles standings.

Rybakina has been in hot pursuit of Sabalenka this season and arrived in New York as one of three women who threatened the Belarusian's position, alongside Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff.

However, the other three contenders each needed to win the title and hope Rybakina exited before the semi-finals to capture the number one spot.

Sabalenka's consecutive 99-week reign as world number one stretches back to 21 October 2024 and stands as the sixth-longest streak in WTA history.

The top two players could yet meet in the US Open final - just as they did at this year's Australian Open, where Rybakina prevailed in three sets.

For Rybakina, the trophy is more important than her new ranking.

Rybakina will face either Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva in tomorrow's semi-finals, while Sabalenka takes on Jessica Pegula.
FNRL

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
Scoreboard
Full Time
Everton 3–1 Conventry
Full Time
Leeds 1–0 Spurs
Full Time
Fulham 1–1 Newcastle
Full Time
New Zealand 34–10 Tonga
Full Time
Australia 44–12 Samoa
Full Time
New Zealand 32–0 Samoa women's national rugby league
Full Time
Naitasiri 27–32 Ra
Full Time
Fiji 17–54 France
Fiji vs Ireland
Fiji vs Italy