American Jessica Pegula falls to top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in US Open semifinal
Sabalenka Beats Pegula to Reach US Open Final, Aims for Historic Third Straight Title
New York — In a hard‑fought semifinal at the U.S. Open, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka edged out third‑seeded Jessica Pegula 7‑5, 6‑2 to secure her place in the final on Saturday. The Belarusian star moved one step closer to becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (2012‑2014) to claim three consecutive U.S. Open crowns.
The match, played on Thursday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, was evenly contested through most of the first set. Sabalenka, however, found extra gear in the closing stages, exploiting Pegula’s second‑serve opportunities and carrying that momentum into a dominant second set. She struck 29 winners to Pegula’s 12, a performance that turned the third straight meeting at the end of the tournament into a clear rout.
“I’m just super happy that I was able to pull out such tennis,” Sabalenka told reporters after the match. “No complaints.” She added, “I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly.”
With the win, Sabalenka extends a streak of 19 straight matches at the U.S. Open—her most dominant run in the tournament since losing to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final. The victory also keeps her on track to finish the week as world No. 1, though she said she would be fine ceding the top spot to Elena Rybakina, who is slated to replace her in the rankings next week.
The final will pit Sabalenka against the winner of the other semifinal, where second‑seeded Elena Rybakina is set to face fourth‑seeded Coco Gauff. A victory over either opponent would cement Sabalenka’s place in the annals of the sport, giving her a chance to secure a third consecutive U.S. Open title.
Sabalenka’s performance against Pegula also underscored her resilience at this major. “It’s been a long road,” she said. “I’ve had to keep fighting for everything.” The Belarusian’s composure on the big stage, especially under the bright lights of New York, has drawn praise from players and pundits alike.
The U.S. Open’s final will be a showcase of the top tier of women’s tennis. Sabalenka’s determination, combined with Rybakina’s rising momentum and Gauff’s youthful energy, promises a dramatic finish. Fans in New York and around the world will watch to see if Sabalenka can finish the trilogy and carve her name into tennis history.