Race For No.1 Heats Up, But Coco Gauff’s Not Stressed
After three rounds, four players still have a shot to finish the US Open at No.1 on the women's side.
Chris OddoSeptember 4, 20262 minute read
The Race for No.1 in the WTA Rankings continues in New York.
All four players with a chance to finish the US Open as the world No.1 have advanced into the third round, with two – Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica – keeping pace on Thursday night in New York, a day after Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula reached the third round on Wednesday.
Gauff, who defeated Paula Badosa in Arthur Ashe Stadium, 6-4, 7-6, says the milestone is not on her mind at all. Like Pegula and Sabalenka, she would need to win the title to get to No.1.
“It would be cool to be No. 1, but it’s not something I have thought about, to be honest,” she said. “I definitely care, but I don’t think you’ll see me, like – I don’t think it’s something I’ll be nervous about, honestly.
It would be cool to be No. 1, but it’s not something I have thought about.
Coco Gauff
“If it happens, great. If not, no. I think I’m just more focused on winning slams, because that’s what people talk about more in your career than necessarily hitting the No. 1 ranking. Obviously, if you win slams, the ranking will come.”
Rybakina, on the fast track to win this race, defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday evening. The Kazakhstani entered the main draw under an injury cloud after pulling out of her quarterfinal in Cincinnati with Iga Swiatek due to an Achilles injury. She needed a week off the court, but says she is feeling fit in New York.
Rybakina can secure the No.1 ranking by reaching the semifinals. It remains possible for Rybakina to secure the No.1 ranking prior to the semifinal round if Sabalenka, Pegula and Gauff are each eliminated from the competition.
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