New York – In a decisive semifinal at the U.S. Open, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured a straight‑sets victory over third‑ranked American Jessica Pegula, 7‑5, 6‑2. The win puts Sabalenka in the final on Saturday, where she will face the winner of the match between No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina and No. 4 seed Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka, the 28‑year‑old Belarusian, said after the match, “No complaints. I’m just super happy that I was able to pull out such tennis.” She added that she was “desperate for the win” and felt the victory was hard‑won.
Match Overview
The first set was tightly contested, with both players holding serve until Sabalenka found an extra gear late in the set. She capitalized on Pegula’s second‑serve vulnerabilities, breaking at a crucial moment to take the set 7‑5. In the second set, Sabalenka’s momentum continued unabated, delivering a barrage of winners – 29 in total – compared with Pegula’s 12. The Belarusian’s aggressive play forced errors and left Pegula unable to mount a comeback, resulting in a 6‑2 finish.
Implications for the Tournament
Should Sabalenka win the final, she would become the first woman since Serena Williams (2012‑14) to capture three consecutive U.S. Open titles. Her dominance this year adds to an impressive streak: she has now won 19 straight matches at the U.S. Open, a run that began after a loss to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final.
Rybakina is slated to overtake Sabalenka in the WTA rankings next week, a change Sabalenka said she would accept gracefully, noting she would be “fine ceding No. 1” after holding the top spot.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming final promises a clash of top talent. If Gauff emerges as Sabalenka’s opponent, the match would feature a familiar rivalry that has produced several thrilling encounters in recent years. Conversely, a showdown with Rybakina would pit two powerful baseline players against each other, offering a different tactical dynamic.
Fans can watch the final live on national television Saturday, with the match expected to draw a large audience given Sabalenka’s historic pursuit and the high‑profile nature of her potential opponents.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
