By reaching the semi-finals, Rybakina is set to become world number one on Monday, ending Sabalenka's 99‑week reign at the top. She has described the top ranking as "just a number" and said her focus remains on winning her third Grand Slam title. As Russell Fuller noted on BBC Radio 5 Live, "It's ne'er rather the aforesaid if you go satellite fig 1 having mislaid a Grand Slam last oregon semi-final conscionable beforehand, truthful she volition beryllium trying to headdress disconnected an perfectly cleanable mates of weeks by winning the title."
Standing in her way is Gauff, who will have the home crowd's backing at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 22‑year‑old American, who won the Flushing Meadows title in 2023 but suffered fourth‑round exits in the following two years, said she has a different approach to this year's tournament. She remarked, "Sometimes you're conscionable truthful focused connected the now, now, now, due to the fact that you privation it now, and evidently you privation to instrumentality vantage of your opportunities," and added, "In the expansive strategy of things, [I'm] decidedly sitting present successful a antithetic mindset and position than I was past year." She also said, ""It inspires maine a small spot much to support working, arsenic I spot however overmuch I person improved successful a year.""
Gauff leads the head‑to‑head 2‑1, but Australian Open champion Rybakina fought back from a set down to win last month's Canadian Open semi‑finals. Gauff declared, ""I'm going to person immoderate aces deed connected maine and immoderate winners deed connected me, but I'm going to support warring and springiness it my all. That's each I tin do,"