The 2024 US Open women's singles semi-finals have achieved a historic milestone, marking the first time since 1975 that the top four seeds have all reached this stage of the tournament. The draw features Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina.
Second seed Elena Rybakina's progression to the semi-finals guarantees she will ascend to the world number one ranking on Monday, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week tenure at the top. However, Rybakina has downplayed the significance of the ranking, stating her primary focus remains on winning her third Grand Slam title.
"It's never quite the same if you become world number one having lost a Grand Slam final or semi-final just beforehand, so she will be trying to cap off an absolutely perfect couple of weeks by winning the title," tennis correspondent Russell Fuller commented on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Rybakina's semi-final opponent will be Coco Gauff, who will benefit from the home crowd's support on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, has expressed a different perspective on this year's tournament compared to previous years. "Sometimes you're just so focused on the now, now, now, because you want it now, and obviously you want to take advantage of your opportunities," she said. "In the grand scheme of things, [I'm] definitely sitting here in a different mindset and perspective than I was last year. It inspires me a little bit more to keep working, as I see how much I have improved in a year."
Gauff holds a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head record. However, Rybakina demonstrated her resilience by coming back from a set down to defeat Gauff in the semi-finals of the Canadian Open last month. "I'm going to have some aces hit on me and some winners hit on me, but I'm going to keep fighting and give it my all. That's all I can do," Gauff stated.
The other semi-final match features Aryna Sabalenka against Jessica Pegula. The outcome of these matches will determine the final competitors in the women's singles championship.