Key events
Next up on Arthur Ashe, it’s the battle of youth v experience, the 21-year-old Belgian US Open debutant Alexander Blockx v the 30-year-old resurgent Russian and former semi-finalist Karen Khachanov. But – and it’s a big but – Blockx was really struggling with a rib injury in previous round, and considered quitting during the match, so what shape will he be in today? He’s probably rattling with painkillers, though all I can hear is his squeaky shoes as he opens with a hold. We’re going to wrap up this blog now, though, but do check back later for a report on this and Alexander Zverev v Botic van de Zandschulp. Hopefully they won’t still be going at 3.33am. Thanks for your company, as always. Bye!
Away from the singles, the top seeds in the women’s doubles, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, are a set up in their semi-final, with the Wimbledon men’s doubles champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara to come later in the quarter-finals, along with Patten’s fellow Brits Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, who both have American partners. Salisbury is playing alongside Rajeev Ram and Skupski with Christian Harrison. Alfie Hewett has won in the men’s wheelchair singles first round, but there have been defeats for Andy Lapthorne and Gregory Slade in the quad singles.
Gauff’s victory means the women’s semi-finals – which will take place tomorrow – are set. And the top four seeds have all made it, for the first time at a grand slam since Wimbledon in 2009 and the first time at the US Open since 1975:
Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Jessica Pegula (3)
Coco Gauff (4) v Elena Rybakina (2)
“I came out not feeling the ball, giving her too many free points,” says Gauff. “In the restroom I was thinking about Frances Tiafoe and how he came back yesterday. We all want to do well in front of this crowd and I wanted to leave the court without any regrets. Thanks to you guys for pulling me through.” When asked about facing Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, she replies: “Elena’s the new world No 1, it’s going to be a tough match. Last time we played it was a tough three-setter for me. But I’m looking forward to the battle. These are the moments we live for.”
Of course we won’t get to hear from Andreeva yet – but after those two match points, she probably feels like Alex Michelsen did yesterday, even though she didn’t end up crying on Coco’s shoulder.
Gauff defeats Andreeva 2-6, 7-6, 6-2! At 30-15, Andreeva batters her backhand into the net and we’re reaching the endgame. Gauff has two match points at 40-15 … doesn’t take the first when Andreeva arrows a forehand deep to Gauff’s backhand before hitting a drive volley winner … but Gauff is largely in control on the second, dragging Andreeva forwards, backwards and forwards once more … and Andreeva eventually decides she’s had enough! Gauff wins the battle of the former prodigies turned major champions and is back in the semi-finals, three years after she won the title, and she’s cupping her ears to her adoring crowd before beating her chest. It wasn’t pretty, but Gauff knows, perhaps more than any other player in the women’s game, how to win when she’s not playing at her best. Her resilience is remarkable.
Coco Gauff celebrates winning her quarter-final against Mirra Andreeva. Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP Gauff breaks: Andreeva 6-2, 6-7, 2-5 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
0-15. 0-30. 0-40. The errors are flying off Andreeva’s racket now. And a fourth flailing forehand in a row surrenders the double break! Gauff, having saved those two match points in the second set, will serve for a place in the US Open semi-finals! You just can’t ever count her out.
Third set: Andreeva* 6-2, 6-7, 2-4 Gauff (*denotes next server)
Re Zheng – she mainly needs to stay fit. She showed by winning the 2024 Olympic title that she’s got what it takes – though her serve didn’t quite stand up to the scrutiny today, she needed to land more first serves and her second didn’t have enough punch. As for Botic – I think now Zverev knows he won’t have to face an Alcaraz-sized obstacle in the final, he’ll be buzzing, though the Dutchman is more than capable of winning a set – and there hasn’t been any further word on Blockx’s injury, though apparently he looked OK in practice. And Pegula, yes, she’s done so much to speak up for lower-ranked players and get them more prize money. As for the immediate matters at hand, Gauff checks off another service game as she edges closer to victory.
Third set: Andreeva 6-2, 6-7, 2-3 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
Kudos to Andreeva, as she steadies herself to match Gauff’s love hold. And here’s an email from Kerrith Britland:
“Props to Zheng. Came through qualifiers so played three more matches than everyone else. Probably the best server bar Rybakina – seems like she’s a good day away from winning a major. Do you think there’s something missing from her game? What’s stopping her from reaching the top level?
“Love to see introvert Botic in the final 8. Do you see him winning a set? The only matchup I see him winning is vs Zverev’s forehand. But Botic has beaten Carlos so I’ve got my fingers crossed. Any injury news from Blockx? A Botic-Blockx final would be f*ING awesome. Also kinda wanna see Pegula win even though she’s disgustingly loaded. She’s just seems like a good egg.”
Mirra Andreeva serves to Coco Gauff. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Third set: Andreeva* 6-2, 6-7, 1-3 Gauff (*denotes next server)
Remarkably this is the first time Gauff has led in this match and, with the wind in her sails, she secures a love hold. Martinez is trying to encourage her charge but Andreeva looks as if she could combust right now. From those two match points in the second-set tie-break, the French Open champion must now find a way to recover from a break down in the third if she’s to reach her first US Open semi-final.
Gauff breaks: Andreeva 6-2, 6-7, 1-2 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
Gauff gets on the board too in the decider, holding to 30, despite a slightly unconvincing volley on game point. The quality of this match is so up and down, but I’ve been very impressed by how both players have handled their emotions. I’ve already spoken about Gauff’s courage and calmness, but the 19-year-old Andreeva, who’s still learning how to control herself on court and is prone to vent at her coach Conchita Martinez, has retained a reasonable level of emotional equilibrium, in the face of a partisan New York crowd. So of course just as I type that, Gauff breaks to 30 courtesy of some nerveless net play on break point … and Andreeva throws her racket at her chair, narrowly missing the cameraman.
Third set: Andreeva 6-2, 6-7, 1-0 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
This just had to go all the way, didn’t it? This is the sixth quarter-final to be played – men’s and women’s combined – and all of the previous five went the distance. With Alexander Blockx v Karen Khachanov to come after this match, followed by Alexander Zverev v Botic van de Zandschulp, I wonder when the last time was that all eight quarter-finals at a slam went to a decider, if ever. Anyway, Andreeva, who has the advantage of serving first in this third set, opens with a hold to 15, sealing things with an ace. That’ll shake off some of the frustrations of the previous set.
Gauff wins the second-set tie-break 9-7! … and then 7-6 Andreeva, a second match point, when Gauff doesn’t do enough with her smash and Andreeva is able to rip a passing winner! Andreeva, the racket weighing heavy in her hand, sends down one of her slowest serves of the day at 79mph and Gauff gives it the treatment it deserves. 7-7. And now 8-7 Gauff. Set point. Gauff’s second after the one nearly half an hour ago. And Gauff’s forehand this time is flawless! And Gauff is now doing Gauff things, forcing a decider in this match even though she’s not playing at her best. Cocomania ensues in the stands.
Coco Gauff celebrates winning the second set of her quarter-final against Mirra Andreeva. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images/Reuters Then 5-5 and 6-5 Andreeva; the Russian has her first match point. Another lengthy, lengthy, heart-in-mouth exchange to add to the one on the eighth point … and Andreeva eventually blinks! The match point has gone and it’s 6-6 at the second change of ends …
… but just as you think Gauff is in the ascendancy, her forehand misfires, and the mini-break is surrendered for 4-3. Neither player is giving an inch on the next point – which turns into a 39-SHOT FOREHAND FACE-OFF … before Gauff decides she’s had enough and conjures up a perfect drop shot!!! 5-3 … but the next point is over in a fraction of that time and it goes Andreeva’s way for 5-4 …
A drive volley backed up by a smash gets Andreeva 2-1 ahead on serve … and Gauff gets to 3-2 when she’s a wall at the net on the fifth point, showing tremendous reflexes! The crowd liked that, as does Gauff, who’s fist-pumping and C’MONING. And buoyed by that, Gauff grabs the first mini-break, and they change ends at 4-2 …
Second set: Andreeva 6-2, 6-6 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
So Andreeva, who would be serving for the match if she’d put away that short ball, is now serving to stay in the set. At 15-all, the net gods rule in Gauff’s favour as the ball clips and tape and flies over … Andreeva is still able to get the ball back … but Gauff assumes control in the point and Andreeva is forced into making the error. 15-30. Andreeva recovers to 40-30 … and secures the game when Gauff’s forehand – which is more brittle than her backhand – malfunctions. It’s tie-break time!
Second set: Andreeva* 6-2, 5-6 Gauff (*denotes next server)
The biggest roar of the set as Gauff finishes off a lung-busting exchange with a deft drop shot and rasping winner for 15-all. Perhaps that’ll loosen Gauff up to play some free-flowing tennis. But quickly it’s 30-40 as Gauff’s wild forehand is long and wide. If Andreeva wins this break point she’ll be serving for the match … but nothing about this set has been remotely straightforward for either player and Andreeva, with a simple short ball to bury, clunks it into the net! Wow. This is tense, tight stuff. Deuce. Advantage Gauff. And Gauff wins a game that she really shouldn’t have.
Coco Gauff stretches for a return to Mirra Andreeva. Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP Second set: Andreeva 6-2, 5-5 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
Oooohs and aaaaaahs as Gauff is dragged right and left and right and left and right and left and right and left some more at 30-15. Andreeva emerges from the exchange victorious. And from there she holds, stopping the run of four games against the server. For the first time since 2-2, Andreeva hauls herself level.
Andreeva breaks: Andreeva* 6-2, 4-5 Gauff (*denotes next server)
It’s 30-all. Will it become set point or break point? Set point, when Gauff rams down an ace. But Andreeva hits deep to Gauff’s backhand and Gauff isn’t getting that back into play. And set point turns into break point when Gauff coughs up a double fault! This has been more Gauff 1.0 than Gauff 2.0 on serve so far. And Gauff’s forehand flops into the net and it’s a fourth successive break. This is a tough watch, and it hasn’t matched the quality of the first five quarter-finals, but it’s compelling in its own way.
Gauff breaks: Andreeva 6-2, 3-5 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
The longest rally of the match, at 22 shots, is won by Gauff for 15-all. And from there Andreeva suddenly waves the white flag, with back-to-back double faults and a messy volley into the net! Gauff did little to win that game – well apart from that protracted rally – but she’ll now serve for a set that is getting curious and curiouser!
Coco Gauff returns the ball to Mirra Andreeva from the baseline. Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP Andreeva breaks: Andreeva* 6-2, 3-4 Gauff (*denotes next server)
Andreeva accelerates to Gauff’s drop shot and buries a winner for 30-all. Gauff snuffs out the danger with a one-two punch, but can’t wrap up the game when she flings a forehand into the tramlines. There’s a strange lack of rhythm in this match, and the crowd aren’t quite feeling it either, but Andreeva peels off a perfect winner to get herself a break point … and Gauff repels it by racing forward to punch away a volley. These two are such tremendous athletes, two of the finest in the women’s game. Another Andreeva break point comes and goes, and here’s a third … and Gauff sends a timid forehand wide. Gauff was one point from a 5-2 lead – but now they’re back on serve. A disappointing let-down. But we know that Gauff, ever the competitor, will not become dispirited.
Gauff breaks: Andreeva 6-2, 2-4 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
The errors on Andreeva’s side of the net are increasing, and Gauff has 30-all on the Russian’s serve for the second successive game. Gauff can’t turn that into a break point, when Andreeva edges to 40-30, but Gauff – the ultimate competitor in the women’s game, who can grind out results and find a way to win whatever her predicament – is undeterred and gets to deuce and then advantage, when Andreeva biffs a backhand long! So here is a break point. And Andreeva’s backhand breaks down again! Gauff has her first break of the match.
Second set: Andreeva* 6-2, 2-3 Gauff (*denotes next server)
What’s surprised me so far is that I thought Andreeva might struggle emotionally with most of the 24,000-strong crowd against her and rooting for Gauff, but Gauff just hasn’t given the home fans enough to cheer about so far. But Gauff does hold again, to 15 when Andreeva whacks into the tramlines, and the American nudges ahead in this second set once more. There’s a feeling that Gauff is starting to generate a bit of momentum.
Second set: Andreeva 6-2, 2-2 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
As Niall mentioned, Gauff has won all five of her previous matches against Andreeva, though she said before this quarter-final that the head-to-head didn’t really reflect how little there is between them, especially now that Andreeva is a grand slam champion, and the play so far is proving that. At 15-all on Andreeva’s serve, Gauff’s loopy forehand drops just in, after the longest rally of the match at 14 shots. Andreeva temporarily knocks Gauff off course with a body serve to get back to 30-all, Gauff grabs the next point for 30-40, but can’t convert the break point. And Andreeva doesn’t give Gauff another chance as she serves out from deuce.
Mirra Andreeva serves to Coco Gauff. Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA Second set: *Andreeva 6-2, 1-2 Gauff (*denotes next server)
Gauff is in a tough spot, dealing with her own issues, a very solid opponent, and a crowd sat in anxious silence. There are groans after a second double fault brings up deuce – and another one means break point Andreeva.
Gauff rescues it with a serve out wide and charge in, with Andreeva netting the return. Then a 120mph ace which gets the crowd involved, and then she wins a net battle to hold. Is she back in this? Join Katy Murrells to see what happens next …
Second set: Andreeva 6-2, 1-1 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
Gauff leads the head-to-head against Andreeva 5-0, but she looks second-best out here, with two more loose forehands and two mistimed backhands allowing Andreeva to hold without doing too much.
Second set: *Andreeva 6-2, 0-1 Gauff (*denotes next server)
Coco Gauff needs to start this set well, or this match could slip away fast. There’s another double fault here, but also an impressive overhead smash at 15-30 down. Another double, another smashed winner to rescue deuce – and she digs out the hold in gritty fashion.
Coco Gauff smashes the ball to Mirra Andreeva. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/Imagn Images/Reuters Mirra Andreeva wins the first set 6-2!
Andreeva opens with an ace, then Gauff tries to attack her second serve but only finds the net. The American prevails in the next rally, solid defence drawing an error – and Andreeva double-faults! A bit of pressure, but Gauff can’t keep her next return in play. Set point, secured with a big serve down the line.
Mirra Andreeva stretches for a forehand. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters First set: *Andreeva 5-2 Gauff (*denotes next server)
At 30-15 up, Gauff serves up another dispiriting double fault – but Andreeva can’t quite keep her return in from a serve out wide. The next serve doesn’t come back, either. Still, Andreeva will have two chances to serve out the first set.
First set: Andreeva 5-1 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
Andreeva holds in the blink of an eye to continue her domination of this first set. She’s never reached the quarter-finals here before, but looks much more comfortable than Gauff, the 2023 champion.
First set: *Andreeva 4-1 Gauff (*denotes next server)
Coco Gauff gets on the board with a hold to 15, and at least has a foothold after producing 10 unforced errors to Andreeva’s two so far.
First set: Andreeva 4-0 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
At 30-15, Gauff moves forward at the wrong moment and is beaten by a dipping, cross-court winner. Andreeva backs that up with an ace, and she’s in total control of this opening set.
First set: *Andreeva 3-0 Gauff (*denotes next server)
Coco Gauff’s slow start continues, as she slips from 30-0 up thanks to two double faults – before another forehand error allows Andreeva to move a double-break ahead.
First set: Andreeva 2-0 Gauff* (*denotes next server)
The No 5 seed makes it seven points without reply, and while Gauff offers some resistance by claiming the next two points, Andreeva backs up the break as Gauff sends a forehand into the net.
First set: *Andreeva 1-0 Gauff (*denotes next server)
A blistering start from Mirra Andreeva, rattling off four straight points to break the Gauff serve to love!
Mirra Andreeva stretches to make a forehand return to Coco Gauff. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Andreeva and Gauff are out on court, warming up for their semi-final. Who will complete the final four?
Rybakina is also heading to the semi-finals, where she’ll face either Mirra Andreeva or Coco Gauff. They’re up next, so stay tuned.
So, Elena Rybakina ends Aryna Sabalenka’s run at the top of the rankings at 99 weeks. She also breaks the Swiatek-Sabalenka duopoly that has lasted since April 2022, when Ashleigh Barty retired as world No 1. There are only two other active players who have held the women’s No 1 ranking – Naomi Osaka and Karolina Pliskova.
Elena Rybakina: “It’s tough to put into words, it was a really tough match, maybe not our best level but happy to make it through.” She adds that the bright sun and shadows were bothering her in the first set. “I didn’t start well, I’ve played all my matches at night so I had to adjust, and I was thinking very negative. I’m super happy.”
On being world No 1: “It’s just a number right now – my goal is to win this tournament and I’m in the semi-finals. [Being world No 1] is an amazing achievement for me but I’m focusing on my next game, relaxing and trying to recover tomorrow.”
Elena Rybakina beats Zheng Qinwen to become world No 1 Rybakina blasts through the first two points, but there is a twitch at 30-0 as she misfires into the net. A huge serve out wide proves unreturnable, though. Rybakina has two match points – and she claims victory, and the world No 1 ranking, when Zheng nets!
Final score: Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 4-6 Rybakina.
Elena Rybakina shakes hands with Qinwen Zheng after winning their quarter-final. The victory means that Rybakina has become the world No 1. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Rybakina waves to the crowd. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/ImagnImages/Reuters Rybakina breaks! Third set: Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 4-5 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)
Having dug herself out of that hole, Zheng hits a wild effort out of court – and then a double fault as she is forced to be aggressive on second serve. It’s a real shame if Zheng goes out like that, but Rybakina will have new balls to serve this out.
Third set: Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 4-4 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)
Now it’s Zheng’s turn to wobble, Rybakina’s vicious returns claiming the first two points – and she has three break points when Zheng nets. But Zheng saves all three, the last with a forehand winner down the line! Deuce …
Third set: *Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 4-4 Rybakina (*denotes next server)
If Zheng can break here, she would get the opportunity to serve out in the next game – and she earns a break point with a looping, two-handed backhand winner down the line! Zheng gets a look at a similar shot with Rybakina up at the net – but it lands inches long. From deuce, Rybakina powers through and we’re level again.
Third set: Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 4-3 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)
An easier hold for Zheng here, the first serve firing with more accuracy. She holds to 15 when Rybakina can’t keep a cross-court effort in bounds.
Third set: *Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 3-3 Rybakina (*denotes next server)
Rybakina rattles through another quick hold to keep the pressure on Zheng; the No 2 seed is getting through her service games in this set at an average of two minutes.
Third set: Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 3-2 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)
At 30-all, Zheng goes all-in with a ripping forehand that clips the baseline, but Rybakina hits back with a one-two punch, and Zheng offers up a break point as an overcooked shot drifts long. Rybakina gets her chance but misses the outside line with a floaty forehand. Zheng carves out the hold with a bit of serve-and-volley; she’s under more pressure on serve but is holding on.
Third set: *Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 2-2 Rybakina (*denotes next server)
Rybakina is back to her calm, controlled default mode and rolls through this service hold with little fuss.
There are six women left in the US Open draw, and they are ranked world Nos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … and 121. But Zheng is, of course, much better than her injury-affected ranking suggests. Rybakina will become the new world No 1 if she wins this match but if she loses, and Gauff beats Andreeva, she’ll be in the strange position of hoping Zheng goes all the way in New York, in order to keep Sabalenka, Pegula or Gauff from taking top spot.
Third set: Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 2-1 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)
Rybakina punishes a slightly mishit Zheng backhand with a ruthless winner down the line, but Zheng finds enough first-serve power to hold from 30-all.
Third set: *Zheng 6-3, 1-6, 1-1 Rybakina (*denotes next server)
An untimely double-fault at 30-0 up is the only blemish on Rybakina’s serve, as she holds with an ace.