Aryna Sabalenka Powers Into US Open Final, Seeks Historic

Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from a historic third straight US Open title after a commanding 7-5, 6-2 semifinal victory over Jessica Pegula on Thursday. The world number one will face soon-to-be top-ranked Elena Rybakina in Saturday's final, a rematch of the Australian Open decider from earlier this year.

Sabalenka's win over Pegula keeps her bid for a rare three-peat alive. She is now aiming to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women to win three consecutive US Open titles. Her 18-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows was extended with a performance she described as her best of the tournament. "I was super desperate," Sabalenka said. "I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course, I want to go all the way." She overpowered the third-seeded American with relentless groundstrokes, breaking Pegula's serve at the end of a tense first set and never looking back.

The semifinal was far from straightforward, but Sabalenka's route began with a monumental scare. In the quarterfinals on Tuesday, she was pushed to the absolute limit by Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Sabalenka eventually triumphed 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(10-7) in a match where she trailed 4-2 in the final set. "I honestly thought that was it, the match was over, and that’s what helped me to feel loose and go for my shots," she admitted. That hard-fought win, sealed with a courageous second-serve ace in the match tiebreak, set up her sixth straight US Open semifinal.

Saturday's final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, scheduled for 4 p.m. Local time on September 12, is a clash of the top two seeds and the top two players in the world. More than just the trophy is on the line. Rybakina's run to the semifinals guaranteed she will end Sabalenka's 99-week reign as world number one when the new rankings are published on Monday. This will be the third Grand Slam final meeting between the two powerful hitters. Rybakina won their encounter at the Australian Open to start the 2026 season, while Sabalenka won their previous final at the 2023 US Open.

Sabalenka booked her place first with a dominant display against Pegula. Later on Thursday, Rybakina battled back from a set down to defeat 2023 champion Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. That result confirmed the championship matchup everyone anticipated. Sabalenka acknowledged Rybakina's form, conceding the number one ranking was a consequence of her own mid-season struggles. "Elena took it over and played really well, and she took away No. 1 position," she said. Now, the only thing left for Sabalenka to take is the title itself.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS: Aryna Sabalenka has reached her third consecutive US Open final. She will face Elena Rybakina on Saturday, September 12. A win would make Sabalenka the first woman since Serena Williams (2012-2014) to win three straight US Opens. Rybakina will become the new world number one on Monday, ending Sabalenka's 99-week stay at the top.