Coco Gauff faces newly crowned world number one Elena Rybakina in a mouthwatering US Open semi-final on Thursday with a place in Saturday's final at stake.
Gauff has reached the last four after overcoming French Open champion Mirra Andreeva in a dramatic quarter-final, recovering from a set down and saving two match points in the second-set tie-break before winning 2-6 7-6 6-2.
Rybakina was also forced to dig deep in her quarter-final, recovering from 1-0 down to defeat Qinwen Zheng 3-6 6-1 6-4 and secure the world number one ranking for the first time in her career.
The pair have met twice previously on hard courts, with both matches going the distance. Rybakina won their most recent encounter in Toronto last month, but Gauff triumphed in their first meeting in 2022.
Both players are in excellent form and have plenty of weapons, but Gauff's superior return game and ability to extend rallies should give her a slight edge.
However, Rybakina's serve is capable of keeping her in the contest, making a three-set US Open battle a strong possibility.
Coco Gauff v Elena Rybakina Tips Summary
Best Bet - Match to go three sets @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Coco Gauff to win 2-1 @ 10/3
Bet Builder - Over 22.5 games, Elena Rybakina over 5.5 aces & 15+ double faults @ 25/4
Coco Gauff v Elena Rybakina Prediction
Best Bet: Match to go three sets @ 11/10
There has been very little to separate Gauff and Rybakina in their two previous meetings, with both matches requiring a deciding set.
The latest of those encounters came in Toronto last month, when Rybakina recovered from losing the opening set 7-5 to win the next two 6-2 6-2.
Gauff has not lost since that defeat, putting together a 10-match winning run that includes her Cincinnati title before producing another battling performance against Andreeva.
The American saved two match points in the second-set tie-break against the Andreeva and then pulled away in the decider, showing the fighting qualities that have carried her to another US Open semi-final.
Rybakina has been equally impressive, losing only one set before the quarter-finals and recovering from a slow start against Zheng.
With both players possessing enough quality to hurt the other and neither likely to dominate for an entire match, three sets appeals.
Alternative Bet: Coco Gauff to win 2-1 @ 10/3
Gauff has the edge in this contest thanks to her ability to put pressure on Rybakina's serve and extend rallies from the baseline.
The American has won 20 of her last 22 matches and is now playing in her third US Open semi-final, while the home crowd should provide another boost on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Rybakina's serve means Gauff may have to work hard for her opportunities, though, and the Kazakh has already demonstrated during this tournament that she can recover when matches turn against her.
Rybakina also beat Gauff in Toronto last month, so there should be no lack of belief when she steps onto court.
Gauff's greater defensive capabilities and returning quality can ultimately prove decisive, but this looks likely to go the distance. A 2-1 win for the American looks like an attractive proposition.
Coco Gauff v Elena Rybakina Bet Builder Tip
Over 22.5 games
Elena Rybakina over 5.5 aces
15+ double faults
Pays 25/4
Rybakina's serve has been one of the defining features of her run to the semi-finals and she has already fired 37 aces across her five matches, averaging 7.4 per contest.
She needs just six here to clear the line and a long match against one of the WTA's best returners should give her plenty of opportunities to reach that mark.
The over 22.5 games selection also fits the expected shape of the contest. Both previous meetings between Gauff and Rybakina have gone to three sets, including their clash in Toronto last month, while both players were pushed to deciding sets in their respective quarter-finals.
The double-fault leg is the more ambitious part of the Bet Builder, but there are strong reasons to expect both players to produce more errors on serve than usual.
Gauff hit 12 double faults against Andreeva, while Rybakina recorded five against Zheng. Crucially, those were the highest double-fault totals either player had produced in any of their first five matches at this US Open.
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Key Match Stats
Coco Gauff has won 20 of her last 22 matches, including her last 10
Elena Rybakina has won 13 of her last 15 matches
Both previous meetings between Gauff and Rybakina have gone to three sets
Rybakina has hit 37 aces across her five US Open matches
Gauff has hit 15 aces and 28 double faults at this year's US Open
Gauff saved two match points against Mirra Andreeva in her quarter-final before winning 2-6 7-6 6-2
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
