rankings

NEW YORK: Elena Rybakina is headed to the US Open semifinals and to the top of the women’s tennis rankings.

Rybakina edged Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday, guaranteeing she will become No. 1 in the WTA rankings.

The Australian Open champion will face No. 4 Coco Gauff or No. 5 Mirra Andreeva on Thursday. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka faces No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the other semifinal.

But no matter what happens in the remaining matches, Rybakina will end Sabalenka’s 99-week stay at No. 1 when the new rankings are released Monday.

“It’s just a number right now and of course I’m in the semis so my goal is to win the tournament,” Rybakina said. “It’s an amazing achievement but you know how quick everything can change in tennis, ranking-wise, during the match, so I feel like I just need to focus on my game, try to recover and enjoy tomorrow.”

Rybakina and Zheng were scheduled to start about eight hours after Ben Shelton finished off his victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in U.S. Open history.

Rybakina said she struggled with the sun and shadows in Arthur Ashe Stadium early on after starting later in the day in her previous matches.

Zheng capitalized on Rybakina’s early struggles to get her only break of the match against one of the best servers in women’s tennis and take a 5-3 lead in the first set.

But Zheng, who had been playing from behind so much in Flushing Meadows, couldn’t hold onto the lead and Rybakina rolled through the second set in 38 minutes.

Zheng, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist from China, had to come through the qualifying tournament just to make the main draw after elbow surgery dropped her down the rankings to her current place of No. 121. Once ranked No. 4, she is guaranteed to move back into the top 60.

She made a dramatic run to the quarterfinals, erasing a 5-0 deficit in the third set against Madison Keys in the third round and then climbing out of another 5-0 hole in the first set in her fourth-round victory over No. 8-seed Iga Swiatek.

But a double-fault gave her opponent a 5-4 lead in the third set and Rybakina served it out to reach the U.S. Open semifinals for the first time.

“I think the wins that I had so far are great, but obviously today in the match I got a lot of chances in the third set, but I didn’t take it,” Zheng said. “That was a bit pity for me to lose this match, but obviously I could take positive things from U.S. Open this year.”

Rybakina came into the tournament needing only to reach the semifinals to ensure she would move past Sabalenka. Had the 27-year-old from Kazakhstan lost before the final four, Sabalenka, Pegula or Gauff could have been No. 1 next week by winning the tournament.

Top-seeded Alexander Zverev was to face Botic van de Zandschulp in one quarterfinal match Wednesday, with No. 28 Alexander Blockx playing Karen Khachenov in the other. The winners will meet Friday, the same day Shelton and No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe will square off in an all-American semifinal match.

The Times’ top 10 high school flag football rankings:

1. JSerra (9-0)
The Lions are 37-0 since the start of last season and all but four of the wins during their streak have been by 10 points or more.
Next: Wednesday at Corona Santiago.

2. Newport Harbor (8-1)
Scarlett Guyser threw for three touchdowns, ran for another and intercepted a pass in the Sunset League opener versus Edison.
Next: Monday at Marina.

3. Orange Lutheran (7-1)
Wide receivers Josie Anderson, Ava Harrison and Summer Mele have combined for 96 catches, 892 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Next: Monday at Woodbridge.

4. Sierra Canyon (5-2)
Makena Cook threw seven touchdown passes in the Trailblazers’ 53-0 win over Bishop Alemany in their Mission League opener.
Next: Monday at Flintridge Sacred Heart.

5. Corona del Mar (8-1)
Addi Stern threw for two touchdowns and had three sacks, seven deflections and an interception in upset of Huntington Beach.
Next: Monday vs. Los Alamitos.

6. Huntington Beach (4-2)
Four receivers have 25 or more catches for the Oilers. Roxie Shaia threw for four touchdowns in 20-18 loss to Corona del Mar.
Next: Monday at Fountain Valley.

7. Dos Pueblos (8-2)
The Chargers capped a 4-0 week with a 58-0 rout of Fillmore and an 18-6 win versus Scripps Ranch at Saturday’s Ventura Showcase.
Next: Tuesday at Santa Barbara.

8. Westlake (7-3)
Star receiver Olivia Elsokary and the Warriors rebounded from a 21-19 defeat to Dos Pueblos with a 26-13 victory over Oxnard.
Next: Thursday vs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

9. Lakewood St. Joseph (7-0)
The Jesters outscored their last three opponents (Mira Costa, Redondo Union and Atherton Sacred Heart Prep) by a margin of 80-12.
Next: Tuesday at Beckman.

10. Oxnard (6-4)
Ryanna Harris has rushed for 575 yards and eight touchdowns in 80 carries and has six interceptions and 40 flag pulls.
Next: Tuesday at Buena.

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland after Week 1:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week’s ranking

1. SANTA MARGARITA (2-0) def. Corona Centennial, 21-20; vs. Palmdale Highland, Friday; 4

2. CORONA CENTENNIAL (1-1) lost to Santa Margarita, 21-20; at Mater Dei, Sept. 11; 1

3. ST. JOHN BOSCO (1-1) def. Philadelphia Roman Catholic, 45-25; at Pittsburg, Friday; 2

4. SIERRA CANYON (2-0) def. Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade, 24-7; vs. Honolulu St. Louis, Sept. 10; 3

5. ORANGE LUTHERAN (1-1) def. San Diego Cathedral, 38-24; vs. Chandler (Ariz.) Basha, Friday; 5

6. MISSION VIEJO (2-0) def. St. Paul, 77-12; at Folsom, Friday; 6

7. MATER DEI (1-0) def. Orem (Utah), 32-26; vs. Corona Centennial, Sept. 11; 7

8. SAN CLEMENTE (2-0) did not play; at Chaparral, Friday; 8

9. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (2-0) def. Oaks Christian, 44-14; at Oak Hills, Thursday; 9

10. CHAPARRAL (1-1) def. San Juan Hills, 31-19; vs. San Clemente, Friday; 10

11 CREAN LUTHERAN (2-0) def. Mira Costa, 31-10; vs. JSerra, Friday; 12

12. CHAMINADE (3-0) def. Valencia, 35-10; at Beaumont, Sept. 11; 13

13. PALOS VERDES (2-0) def. Orlando (Fla.) Bishop Moore, 21-18; at Carson, Thursday; 14

14. SERVITE (1-1) def. Murrieta Valley, 42-10; vs. Peoria (Ariz.) Centennial, Friday; 16

15. CARSON (2-0) def. Dorsey, 31-8; vs. Palos Verdes, Thursday; 15

16. JSERRA (1-1) def. Long Beach Wilson, 63-0; at Crean Lutheran, Friday; 17

17. DAMIEN (2-0) def. Vista Murrieta, 27-21; at Las Vegas Faith Lutheran, Friday; 18

18. OXNARD PACIFICA (2-0) def. San Diego Lincoln, 52-28; at Hart, Friday; 19

19. EDISON (1-1) lost to Phoenix Pinnacle, 32-28; vs. Corona del Mar, Thursday; 11

20. GARDENA SERRA (1-1) def. L.A. Hamilton, 49-12; at Los Alamitos, Friday; 20

21. BISHOP AMAT (2-0) def. Oak Hills, 22-3; vs. Valencia, Thursday; 21

22. CORONA DEL MAR (2-0) def. Santa Barbara, 37-7; at Edison, Thursday; 22

23. YORBA LINDA (2-0) def. Long Beach Poly, 30-12; vs. El Dorado, Friday; 23

24. WESTLAKE (2-0) def. Agoura, 38-7; vs. Chatsworth, Thursday; 24

25. ST. BONAVENTURE (2-0) def. St. Pius X-St. Matthias, 34-21; vs. Trabuco Hills, Friday; 25

Can you name the top 20 men’s bowlers in the world based on the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings?

There are plenty of big names but some less obvious answers too. There is also only one Englishman.

Have a go at our quiz and let us know your score in the comments.

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland after Week 0:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week’s ranking

1. CORONA CENTENNIAL (1-0) def. Servite, 41-21; vs. Santa Margarita, Friday; 2

2. ST. JOHN BOSCO (0-1) lost to Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, 38-28; vs. Philadelphia Roman Catholic, Friday; 1

3. SIERRA CANYON (1-0) def. JSerra, 42-21; at Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade, Thursday; 3

4. SANTA MARGARITA (1-0) def. Orlando (Fla.) Jones, 27-0; at Corona Centennial, Friday; 4

5. ORANGE LUTHERAN (0-1) lost to Miami Central, 23-22; at San Diego Cathedral, Friday; 5

6. MISSION VIEJO (1-0) def. Chaparral, 55-17; vs. St. Paul, Friday; 6

7. MATER DEI (1-0) def. American Fork (Utah), 31-11; at Orem (Utah), Saturday; 7

8. SAN CLEMENTE (2-0) def. Tustin, 17-0; at Chaparral, Sept. 4; 8

9. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (1-0) def. Murrieta Valley, 28-14; vs. Oaks Christian, Friday; 10

10. CHAPARRAL (0-1) lost to Mission Viejo, 55-17; vs. San Juan Hills, Friday; 9

11. HUNTINGTON BEACH EDISON (1-0) did not play; at Phoenix Pinnacle, Friday; 11

12. CREAN LUTHERAN (1-0) def. Loyola, 31-6; at Mira Costa, Friday; 12

13. CHAMINADE (2-0) def. Oaks Christian, 18-0; at Valencia, Friday; 14

14. PALOS VERDES (1-0) def. Gardena Serra, 17-14; vs. Orlando (Fla.) Bishop Moore, Thursday; 18

15. CARSON (1-0) def. San Diego Lincoln, 35-31; at Dorsey, Friday; 23

16. SERVITE (0-1) lost to Corona Centennial, 41-21; at Murrieta Valley, Friday; 15

17. JSERRA (0-1) lost to Sierra Canyon, 42-21; vs. Long Beach Wilson, Friday; 16

18. DAMIEN (1-0) def. San Bernardino Aquinas, 36-17; at Vista Murrieta, Friday; 17

19. OXNARD PACIFICA (1-0) def. Del Sol, 52-6; vs. San Diego Lincoln, Friday; 19

20. GARDENA SERRA (0-1) lost to Palos Verdes, 17-14; vs. L.A. Hamilton, Friday; 13

21. BISHOP AMAT (1-0) def. St. Paul, 55-0; at Oak Hills, Friday; 21

22. CORONA DEL MAR (1-0) def. Lakewood, 48-3; vs. Santa Barbara, Friday; 24

23. YORBA LINDA (1-0) def. Laguna Beach, 34-21; at Long Beach Poly, Friday; NR

24. WESTLAKE (1-0) def. Newbury Park, 32-26 (3 OT); vs. Agoura, Friday; 22

25. ST. BONAVENTURE (1-0) def. Paraclete, 28-6; at St. Pius X-St. Matthias, Friday; NR

Carson High, the defending City Section Open Division football champions, starts out as No. 1 in the City Section rankings by The Times.

The Colts worked on their strength in the off season after failing to stop the run in a state playoff loss to Delano Kennedy.

The rankings:

1. CARSON. The Colts are getting ambitious, with an opening game against San Diego power Lincoln.

2. CRENSHAW. There’s speed, experience and even more depth on a team that made it to City final in 2025.

3. BIRMINGHAM. An improved passing attack makes the Patriots more dangerous going into opening game against Hart.

4. SAN PEDRO. Returning quarterback Seth Solorio and some good linemen should make the Pirates much better.

5. GARFIELD. The return of running back Ceasar Reyes is a big deal.

6. KING/DREW. The talent is there but the offense has to score points in big games for a breakthrough win.

7. SOUTH GATE. In quarterback Michael Gonzalez, the Rams can build around him and score points in bunches.

8. CLEVELAND. Cavaliers can be a big surprise with returnees at quarterback and running back.

9. EL CAMINO REAL. By midseason, when a couple transfer students become eligible, this will be a dangerous team. Watch out for sophomore Kymani Williams, headed for All-City honors.

10. VENICE. The late Angelo Gasca prepared his assistants to take over one day and now it’s their turn to show what they learned.

Others to watch: Hamilton, University, Eagle Rock, Franklin, Palisades.

The Times’ top 10 high school flag football rankings:

1. JSerra (6-0)
Won the Gold Division at the Chargers Invitational. MVP quarterback Kate Meier has accounted for 11 scores in the last three games.
Next: Tuesday vs. Woodbridge.

2. Newport Harbor (5-1)
The Sailors outscored their first five opponents 97-0 before falling to JSerra 23-6 in the Chargers Invitational championship game.
Next: August 24 vs. Woodbridge.

3. Edison (5-1)
All five of the Chargers’ wins so far have been shutouts. Their biggest test comes Thursday night in a nonleague game at JSerra.
Next: Thursday at JSerra.

4, Orange Lutheran (3-1)
Lost to JSerra at the Chargers Invitational but will have two chances to avenge it in Trinity League matchups Sept 22 and Oct. 13.
Next: Thursday at La Serna.

5. Beckman (5-0)
Won the Division 2 Navy bracket at the Chargers Invitational, beating Mira Costa in the final on Hayden Freedman’s clutch catch.
Next: Wednesday vs. San Juan Hills.

6. Westlake (3-2)
The Warriors gave JSerra its toughest game at the Chargers Invitational, losing by only 13 points. They also nearly beat Torrey Pines.
Next: Tuesday vs. Oak Park.

7. Huntington Beach (3-1)
Fast start behind quarterback and captain Roxie Shaia, highlighted by 18-point victory over Torrey Pines at Chargers Invitational.
Next: Aug. 24 vs. Los Alamitos.

8. Corona del Mar (4-1)
Convincing victories over Ocean View, La Serna and Bishop Amat. Will host a showdown against Huntington Beach on Aug. 26.
Next: Tuesday vs. Santa Margarita.

9. Lakewood St. Joseph (3-0)
Senior quarterback Lexi Loya has already thrown for 679 yards and 13 touchdowns, including five in a 40-6 victory over Corona.
Next: Monday at Cypress.

10. Eagle Rock (0-0)
Quarterback Nylah Moore and the Eagles open the season Monday versus Panorama in a rematch of last fall’s City Open semifinals.
Next: Monday vs. Panorama.