Aryna Sabalenka cruises past Jessica Pegula, advances to 4th consecutive US Open final
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.
n
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.
n
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.
n
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.
n
And for the third straight Open, Pegula, one of the fan favorites at the year’s final Grand Slam, failed to take down Sabalenka.
n
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.
n
The 2026 Open trilogy didn’t garner much better results for the American.
n
Thursday’s matchup began as a see-saw battle, with each player taking turns winning games through 6-5 in the first set.
n
The first break opportunity came at Sabalenka’s most important juncture of the first set perhaps — set point.
n
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.
n
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.
n
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.
n
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.
n
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.
n
When live updated rankings are posted on Monday, Elena Rybakina will hold the top spot as world No. 1.
n
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.
n
She earned that with a win against Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
n
That win put an end to Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.
n
But she’s in play to be at the top at this year’s final Grand Slam in Queens.
n
For Sabalenka, that’s what matters more.
