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The current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to a third consecutive U.S. Open title Thursday, defeating third-ranked Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the women’s singles semifinal in New York.
The match was even through most of the first set, but Sabalenka found another gear late, taking advantage of Pegula’s second serve and carrying that momentum into the second set. She turned the final set into arguably her most impressive stretch of tennis in the tournament.
"No complaints," the 28-year-old Belarusian tennis star said after securing a spot in Saturday's final. "I’m just super happy that I was able to pull out such tennis."
ARYNA SABALENKA FIRES BACK AT REPORTER FOR ASKING QUESTION ABOUT PARTYING AFTER US OPEN VICTORY
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after defeating Jessica Pegula in the women’s singles semifinal on Day 12 of the 2026 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 10, 2026, in Flushing, Queens. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Sabalenka will face the winner of the semifinal between No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina and No. 4 seed Coco Gauff on Saturday. A win over either opponent would make her the first women’s player since Serena Williams from 2012-14 to win three consecutive U.S. Open titles.
Aryna Sabalenka embraces Jessica Pegula at the net after winning their women’s singles semifinal at the 2026 U.S. Open on Sept. 10 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, New York. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rybakina will replace Sabalenka atop the women’s tennis rankings next week, and Sabalenka said this week she would be fine ceding No. 1 after she held it.
It will be hard to prevent that if she hits the ball Saturday the way she did against Pegula.
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Sabalenka pounded 29 winners to Pegula’s 12, turning their third straight meeting at the end of the U.S. Open into a rout, after her victory in the 2024 final and 2025 semifinals were tight most of the way.
Aryna Sabalenka greets Jessica Pegula at the net after winning their women’s singles semifinal at the 2026 U.S. Open on Sept. 10 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
"I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly," Sabalenka said.
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She has won 19 straight matches at the U.S. Open since losing to Gauff in the 2023 final.
Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
