Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 on Thursday to reach the US Open final, where she will face Elena Rybakina on Saturday.
Rybakina advanced by beating 2023 champion Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Her run to the final also ensures she will take the world No 1 ranking from Sabalenka.
Sabalenka keeps three-peat bid alive
Sabalenka, the US Open champion in 2024 and 2025, is seeking to become the first woman since Chris Evert and Serena Williams to win three consecutive titles at the tournament. She said she had been determined to reach the final after a slow summer following back-to-back victories at Indian Wells and Miami in March.
The Belarusian broke Pegula late in a tense first set, then attacked the American’s second serve to take control of the second. Pegula, who was pursuing her first Grand Slam title, said Sabalenka’s level had been extremely high and that she was unsure what more she could have done.
Rybakina survives Gauff comeback
Gauff took the opening set after breaking for a 4-2 lead, but Rybakina responded by moving 4-1 ahead in the second. Gauff levelled at 4-4 before a double fault in the 10th game gave Rybakina the chance to force a deciding set.
Rybakina broke for a 5-3 lead in the third set. Gauff immediately broke back, but Rybakina won the next game and completed the victory when Gauff sent a smash long. Rybakina said she would need to serve better and remain aggressive against Sabalenka after losing to her in the Australian Open final in January.
Men’s semifinals set for Friday
Ben Shelton will play Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal on Friday. Shelton reached the last four after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinal that ended at 3:34am on Wednesday, the latest finish in tournament history. Read the context: Thomas Tuchel admits mistakes following England’s defeat by Argentina in World Cup semifinal.
The winner will meet either top seed and French Open champion Alexander Zverev or unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov for a place in the men’s final. The American semifinalists are seeking a chance to end the country’s 23-year wait for a men’s Grand Slam champion.
What happens next
The women’s final between Sabalenka and Rybakina is scheduled for Saturday, while the men’s semifinals are scheduled for Friday.
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