By reaching the semi-finals, second seed Rybakina will become the new world number one on Monday – ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.

But the second seed has described the top ranking as “just a number” and stressed that her focus remains focused on winning her third Grand Slam title.

“It’s never quite the same if you become world number one having lost a Grand Slam final or semi-final just beforehand, so she will be trying to cap off an absolutely perfect couple of weeks by winning the title,” tennis correspondent Russell Fuller said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Standing in her way, however, is Gauff, who will have the home crowd’s backing on 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 perspective to this year’s tournament.

“Sometimes you’re just so focused on the now, now, now, because you want it now, and obviously you want to take advantage of your opportunities,” she said.

“In the grand scheme of things, [I’m] definitely sitting here in a different mindset and perspective than I was last year.

“It inspires me a little bit more to keep working, as I see how much I have improved in a year.”

Gauff leads the head-to-head 2-1, but Australian Open champion Rybakina fought back from a set down to triumph in last month’s Canadian Open semi-finals.

“I’m going to have some aces hit on me and some winners hit on me, but I’m going to keep fighting and give it my all. That’s all I can do,” Gauff said.