Elena Rybakina overpowered Coco Gauff 3-6 6-4 6-4 in ​a fierce US Open semi-final on ‌Thursday to secure a title showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and stay on ​course for a third Grand ​Slam crown.

Gauff absorbed relentless pressure and ⁠stayed strong from the back to ​draw errors from the Kazakh, breaking ​in the sixth game and taking the opening set in front of a roaring crowd ​that included former first lady Michelle ​Obama.

Rybakina capitalised on some sloppy play by the ‌fourth-seeded ⁠American in the second set to level the match and silence the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

Rybakina, 27, gained ​control with ​her ⁠power and broke to go 5-3 ahead in the decider. ​Gauff hit back with a ​break ⁠of her own but her comeback bid faltered when she could not ⁠hold ​serve, as Rybakina broke ​to close out the win.