Pegula eyes Sabalenka’s US Open three‑peat in historic semi‑final clash
For the third year in a row, Jessica Pegula will try to stop Aryna Sabalenka from winning a third consecutive US Open title.
On Thursday night at Flushing Meadows, the women’s singles semi‑finals will feature an unprecedented line‑up: the top four seeds have all reached the penultimate round, a feat not seen since 1975.
Pegula takes on Sabalenka for a third straight US Open meeting
Jessica Pegula, the third seed, will face world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian defeated Pegula in the 2024 final and in the 2023 semi‑finals, and is aiming to become only the third woman, after Chris Evert and Serena Williams, to capture three US Open titles in a row.
Three‑peat, sounds great.
Pegula, who has won two of their three recent encounters, says the rivalry fuels her belief that she can overturn the result on the sport’s biggest stage.
Rybakina and Gauff battle for the other half of the final
In the second semi‑final, second‑seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan will meet 2023 champion Coco Gauff at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Rybakina’s run guarantees her the world No 1 ranking, regardless of the outcome, while Gauff is looking to add a second US Open crown to her résumé.
Rybakina, who lifted the Wimbledon trophy in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year, said she is focused on “the last push” and enjoying the moment despite a recent heel injury that disrupted her preparation.
Gauff, who survived two match points in her quarter‑final against Mirra Andreeva, acknowledged Rybakina’s recent win in Toronto but remains confident she can match the Kazakh’s power.
What’s at stake
If Sabalenka wins, she will join an elite trio of women to achieve a US Open three‑peat, cementing her status as the sport’s dominant force. A Pegula victory would not only deny that historic feat but also propel her into a first Grand Slam final, a milestone that could reshape the American women’s tennis landscape.
On the other side, a Rybakina‑Gauff final would pit the newly crowned world No 1 against a home‑grown champion, setting up a narrative of rising global talent versus established US success.
The outcomes will also determine the year‑end rankings, with Sabalenka’s position already secure but her legacy on the line, while Rybakina’s ascent to the top spot is already confirmed.
