Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Jessica Pegula in straight sets on Thursday, securing her place in the US Open final and keeping her pursuit of a historic three-peat alive. The Belarusian defeated the American 7-5, 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a championship clash with Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka, the defending champion from 2024 and 2025, produced what she described as her best performance of the tournament to eliminate Pegula’s hopes of capturing her first Grand Slam title. She is now aiming to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women in history to win three consecutive US Open titles.
“I was super desperate,” Sabalenka admitted, acknowledging a sluggish summer following back-to-back victories at Indian Wells and Miami in March. “I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course, I want to go all the way. The mentality was just I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever it’s going to take to get the win.”
The first set proved tense, with Sabalenka struggling to find rhythm against Pegula’s serving. However, she maintained her focus and capitalized when Pegula faltered under pressure while serving to stay in the set at 6-5. Pegula saved one set point but could not recover from falling behind 0-40.
Sabalenka dominated the second set, exploiting Pegula’s weaker second serve to break early and take a 3-1 lead. She sealed the match with another break, finishing with a powerful forehand winner.
Pegula praised her opponent’s level but expressed frustration at her own inability to respond. “I thought her level was insanely high,” Pegula said. “Honestly, I don’t really know if there was much I could do today.”
In the other semi-final, Elena Rybakina came from behind to defeat 2023 champion Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Gauff started strongly, taking the opening set after breaking serve early. However, Rybakina fought back in the second set, taking a 4-1 lead before Gauff leveled the match at 4-4. Gauff then double-faulted in the tenth game, handing Rybakina two set points.
Rybakina broke Gauff for a 5-3 lead in the deciding set. Although Gauff broke back, Rybakina clinched the next game to win the match. The Kazakh player noted that she would need to elevate her game to defeat Sabalenka, adding that she felt somewhat fortunate during Gauff’s service games.
The upcoming final carries additional significance for Rybakina, who defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year to claim her second Grand Slam title. That victory also ensured Rybakina would end Sabalenka’s reign as World No. 1.
Meanwhile, the men’s semi-finals are scheduled for Friday, featuring an all-American matchup between eighth-seeded Ben Shelton and 11th-seeded Frances Tiafoe. Shelton advanced after a marathon quarter-final victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz that concluded at 3:34 am on Wednesday, marking the latest finish in tournament history. The winner will face either top-seeded Alexander Zverev or unseeded Karen Khachanov, with the victor aiming to end a 23-year Grand Slam title drought for American men.
Did anyone else notice how tired Shelton looked after that 3am match? Rough spot for an American final.
Rybakina actually looks like the underdog here. Can anyone stop that big server?
A three-peat would be absolutely historic! Sabalenka’s form is just incredible right now.