Elena Rybakina reached her first National Bank Open final after defeating Coco Gauff in three sets. Gauff won the opening set 7-5 after securing a late break.
Rybakina responded strongly, winning the next two sets 6-2, 6-2. She completed the comeback in two hours, securing her seventh WTA 1000 final appearance.The victory marked Rybakina’s fourth three-set win of the tournament against Daria Kasatkina, Liudmila Samsonova, and Naomi Osaka.
Her latest victory also took her 2026 hard-court wins to 26, moving her past Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina for the season’s highest total.
Rybakina will face Iga Swiatek in Thursday’s final. Swiatek defeated Elina Svitolina in semifinal 2.The upcoming final will be the 13th meeting between Rybakina and Swiatek. Their previous 12 encounters are evenly split at six wins each.
Rybakina said recovery will be crucial after her demanding run through the tournament.
