Rybakina keeps pressure on Sabalenka in tight No. 1 battle

Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka are in the middle of a closely fought contest for world No. 1 during the North American hardcourt swing.

Sabalenka’s early defeat at the Canadian Open has given Rybakina a small opening to narrow the gap, provided she goes all the way in Toronto. Rybakina moved into the semi finals by beating Naomi Osaka in three sets, which sets up a compelling clash with Coco Gauff.

If Rybakina wins the title, she will sit only four ranking points behind Sabalenka. That would leave the Cincinnati Open and the US Open with added significance in the rankings picture.

Even so, Rybakina has made it clear that the top spot is not her immediate concern. When Mark Petchey asked her on The Tennis Channel whether she was thinking about becoming the best-ranked player in the world, she said: “No, you guys asking me all the time.

“Only when you ask, I have to think about it. No, I’m just staying in present, trying to focus on one match at a time and not looking at the ranking, not following. So for me, it’s just important go match by match and hopefully win titles.”

Rybakina has won two tournaments in 2026, taking titles at Stuttgart Open and the Australian Open, and those results have helped her close in on Sabalenka over the year. Sabalenka, meanwhile, has struggled through much of the summer and has not won a tournament since the Miami Open in March.

Rybakina has also had uneven results of her own. She lost in the round of 64 at Roland Garros, exited in the round of 32 at Wimbledon, and suffered early defeats at Queen’s against Katie Boulter and in Berlin against Alex Eala.

Her form has been sharper at the Canadian Open, where she has beaten Daria Kasatkina, Ann Li, Liudmila Samsonova, and Osaka. That run suggests she may be building momentum at the right time.

Gauff now stands in her way in the semi finals, and that match will be the next measure of whether Rybakina can stay in the world No. 1 conversation. If she gets through, Elina Svitolina or Iga Swiatek will await in the final.