Aryna Sabalenka cruises past Jessica Pegula, advances to 4th consecutive US Open final

Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News on Sep 10, 2026

Published in Tennis

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NEW YORK — For the first time in nearly two years, Aryna Sabalenka entered a match knowing her reign as the top-ranked woman on the WTA Tour was over.

But she was fine with no longer being the world’s No. 1, as long as she gets to hoist the US Open Trophy at the end of the tournament.

And the two-time defending Open champion got one step closer to that reality with a straight-set victory over Jessica Pegula in the semifinal round.

The 28-year-old defeated Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to keep her hopes alive for a three-peat at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.

In the final, Sabalenka will square off against new No. 1 Elena Rybakina, a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 winner against Coco Gauff in the second semifinal on Thursday.

And for the third straight Open, Pegula, one of the fan favorites at the year’s final Grand Slam, failed to take down Sabalenka.

Sabalenka defeated Pegula in straight sets in the final round in 2024 before pulling out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in the semifinals in 2025.

The 2026 Open trilogy didn’t garner much better results for the American.

Thursday’s matchup began as a see-saw battle, with each player taking turns winning games through 6-5 in the first set.

The first break opportunity came at Sabalenka’s most important juncture of the first set perhaps — set point.

The second break of the match — Sabalenka’s to make it 3-1 in the following set — came with Pegula hanging on to her title chances.

Pegula, the No. 3-ranked woman on tour, fought off many attempts and her opponent even turned in an unforced error to put the score back at deuce.

But eventually, Sabalenka used a powerful forehand winner to get the break, which essentially put her in control of the match the rest of the way.

It was smooth sailing from there on for Sabalenka, who needed just an hour and 20 minutes to advance to her fourth consecutive US Open Final.

A win on Saturday would be Sabalenka’s first Grand Slam title of 2026, which she prefers over the prestigious label of being the top woman on tour.

When live updated rankings are posted on Monday, Rybakina will hold the top spot as world No. 1.

Regardless of the single’s tournament result, a Rybakina berth in the US Open semifinals gave her enough points to end the Grand Slam with the top ranking.

She earned that with a win against Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

That win put an end to Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.

But she’s in play to be at the top at this year’s final Grand Slam in Queens.

For Sabalenka, that’s what matters more.