Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula have all reached the US Open women’s semi-finals, marking the first time since Wimbledon in 2009 that the top four seeds at a Grand Slam have made the last four. Sabalenka faces Pegula, while Rybakina takes on Gauff on Thursday from midnight, live on Sky Sports Tennis.
Sabalenka’s Three-Peat Bid
Two-time defending champion Sabalenka is two wins from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014 to win three straight titles in New York. She has reached the semi-finals here for a sixth consecutive year.
The top seed had not dropped a set before surviving her toughest test of the tournament on Tuesday, edging Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
Sabalenka has now surrendered top spot in the world rankings, which Rybakina secured with her quarter-final victory over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng. The Belarusian, who had held the number one ranking since October 2024, said she would gladly trade it for another US Open title.
“I’ll be more than happy,” she said. “Yes, three-peat. Sounds great.”
Pegula’s Familiar Foe
Sabalenka leads her head-to-head with Pegula 9-4, but the American has won two of their last three encounters, including a victory in the Berlin Open semi-finals earlier this year in which she took the deciding set 6-0.
This is the third straight year their rivalry has returned to Flushing Meadows, after Sabalenka denied Pegula the title in 2024 and then beat her again in last year’s semi-finals.
“I think it’s fun to look at the rivalry we’ve had. She’s got to me here the last couple of years,” Pegula said.
“I have been able to beat her a few times, maybe on a smaller stage, so I think that’s going to be kind of a hurdle for me to get over.”
Rybakina’s Rise to Number One
Rybakina will become the 30th woman to top the WTA rankings and the first from Kazakhstan to reach world No 1 when the new rankings are released after the tournament.
The Australian Open winner’s reward for reaching the semi-finals for the first time in New York is a meeting with fan-favourite Gauff.
Gauff’s Stunning Comeback
The 2023 US Open champion was on the brink of defeat in the second set before saving two match points and turning the match around against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva.
Gauff’s victory put her into the semi-finals at a second straight Slam after her run to the last four at Wimbledon.
She will have the home crowd behind her as she bids to clinch a second US Open title.
Gauff on Rybakina
“Elena is playing some great tennis,” said Gauff. “Congrats to her for being the new world No 1 or will be the new World No 1. I think that’s incredible.
“We played each other in Toronto. That didn’t go my way, so I think I just have to learn from that match.
“I know I’m going to have some aces hit on me and some winners hit on me, but I’m going to keep fighting and give it my all.”
Revenge on Gauff’s Mind
Rybakina will bid for a third Grand Slam title, while Gauff will have revenge on her mind after the Kazakh beat her in three sets in last month’s Canadian Open semi-finals.
The pair are tied 1-1 in their previous meetings and will face off for a place in Saturday’s final.
Rybakina’s Expectations
On playing Gauff, Rybakina said: “I will expect that a lot of people are going to support her.
“I just need to stay aggressive. I think from where I was coming to this tournament, being injured and not practicing, I think we came pretty far. Now we just last push and important to still enjoy. Hopefully it’s going to go my way.”
“I think it’s fun to look at the rivalry we’ve had. She’s got to me here the last couple of years.” — Jessica Pegula
Semi-Final Numbers
- Semi-final line-up: Sabalenka vs Pegula; Rybakina vs Gauff
- First time all top four seeds reached a Grand Slam semi-final since Wimbledon 2009
- Sabalenka leads Pegula head-to-head 9-4
- Rybakina will become world No 1, the first from Kazakhstan
- Gauff and Rybakina are tied 1-1 in previous meetings
- US Open live on Sky Sports from August 30
Pegula is seeking a maiden Grand Slam title, while Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff are all former major champions. The winner of each semi-final will meet in Saturday’s final.
Source: skysports.com
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