Elena Rybakina delivered a remarkably composed response after overcoming Coco Gauff and a fiercely partisan American crowd to reach the US Open final.
The 27-year-old knew almost all of the 23,771 spectators packed inside Arthur Ashe Stadium wanted the home favourite to prevail on Thursday night.
Yet Rybakina refused to be distracted by the noise or the overwhelming support for Gauff, maintaining her trademark calm to end the American star’s hopes of lifting the trophy in New York.
Her reward was a place in the final, although she was left to celebrate in front of a noticeably depleted crowd after thousands of spectators headed for the exits immediately following match point.
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Rybakina could have been forgiven for feeling frustrated by the response.
Instead, she remained diplomatic when asked in her post-match press conference how it felt to play the role of “party pooper”.
“I don’t know, to be honest,” she said after her 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph.
“It was a great match, and I know today a lot of people wanted Coco to win. It’s normal, I think. I think everyone understands.
“At the beginning, I felt like it was a very nice atmosphere, and it was only at the end, when I was up in the third set, where the crowd really supported Coco a lot.
“I tried to focus on myself and not listen. I feel for me it was also the first match on Ashe at night and I enjoyed the atmosphere even if the crowd mostly was for Coco.”
Rybakina’s measured verdict reflected the same composure she had displayed throughout a demanding contest.
The volume inside the stadium increased dramatically as Gauff attempted to prolong the match, with the crowd desperately willing the home player to mount a late comeback.
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There was even a significant burst of noise during match point before Gauff missed an overhead to confirm Rybakina’s victory.
The atmosphere then changed almost instantly.
Large sections of Arthur Ashe Stadium emptied before Rybakina had completed her on-court interview, leaving the finalist addressing rows of vacant seats.
She later attempted to hit balls into the stands as part of the traditional post-match celebration but was greeted by the sight of thousands of supporters already making their way out.
Meanwhile, Rybakina also admitted she felt fortunate that Gauff struggled with her serve in the deciding third set.
“It was such a good third set,” she added.
“I felt that I got a little bit lucky on her serve.
“A couple of deep returns and one mistake from her and it went quickly my way.
“I know you guys wanted her to win, and I think it was a real battle.
“It went my way, and in the end I was just trying to still be focused and aggressive and somehow won the match.”
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