Sabalenka, Pegula, Gauff and Rybakina reach the US Open semifinals
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 10:15 PM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
The US Open reaches the penultimate round on Thursday as the top four women’s seeds prepare for their matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Aryna Sabalenka faces Jessica Pegula in a rematch of their 2024 final meeting, while second-seeded Elena Rybakina takes on 2023 champion Coco Gauff. The event marks the first time since 1975 that all four top seeds reached the semifinals of this tournament. Elena Rybakina enters her match against Coco Gauff having already secured the world number one ranking, a development that rendered the previous contention for the top spot moot. Aryna Sabalenka seeks to maintain her defense of the title, while Jessica Pegula aims to overcome her recent record against the Belarusian. Each matchup carries significance for the tournament bracket as the field narrows toward the championship stage.
- •Aryna Sabalenka leads her head-to-head record against Jessica Pegula 9-4.
- •Elena Rybakina takes over the world number one ranking after reaching the semifinals.
- •The 2026 US Open semifinals feature the top four women's seeds for the first time since 1975.
- •Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina share a 1-1 head-to-head record heading into their match.
- 10:15 PMThe Guardian Sport — US Open tennis 2026 women’s semi-finals: Sabalenka v Pegula, Gauff v Rybakina – live
- 12:27 AMESPN — US Open semifinals: Will Pegula or Sabalenka come out on top?
- 11:21 PMYahoo Sports — Pegula aiming to thwart Sabalenka three-peat in US Open semis
"Aryna Sabalenka is gunning for her third US Open title in a row -- can Jessica Pegula stop her this time?AFP Sport looks at women's semi-final action on Day 12 of the US Open: Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x1) v Jessica Pegula (USA x3) Sabalenka leads head to head 9-4 -- Pegula came into the tournament as one of three players with a chance to take the number one ranking from Sabalenka, but that discussion became moot when Rybakina reached the semis to be assured of ascending to the top spot.
"Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will bid to move one step closer to a third straight US Open title when she faces familiar foe Jessica Pegula, while Elena Rybakina will take on home favourite Coco Gauff in the semi-finals on Thursday from midnight - live on Sky Sports Tennis.
"Meet the US Open’s fascinating ambidextrous experiment Tiafoe v Shelton semi-final a legacy of departing Monfils Get in touch! Email Ella with any thoughts Ella will be here shortly. In the meantime, catch up on how the four semi-finalists made it this far: Continue reading...
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportSep 10, 2026, 10:15 PMUS Open tennis 2026 women’s semi-finals: Sabalenka v Pegula, Gauff v Rybakina – live
Meet the US Open’s fascinating ambidextrous experiment Tiafoe v Shelton semi-final a legacy of departing Monfils Get in touch! Email Ella with any thoughts Ella will be here shortly. In the meantime, catch up on how the four semi-finalists made it this far: Continue reading...
- ESPNSep 10, 2026, 12:27 AMUS Open semifinals: Will Pegula or Sabalenka come out on top?
Sabalenka is the two-time defending US Open champion, but Pegula entered the tournament on a hot streak. How each can win the matchup.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 11:21 PMPegula aiming to thwart Sabalenka three-peat in US Open semis
Aryna Sabalenka is gunning for her third US Open title in a row -- can Jessica Pegula stop her this time?AFP Sport looks at women's semi-final action on Day 12 of the US Open: Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x1) v Jessica Pegula (USA x3) Sabalenka leads head to head 9-4 -- Pegula came into the tournament as one of three players with a chance to take the number one ranking from Sabalenka, but that discussion became moot when Rybakina reached the semis to be assured of ascending to the top spot.
- Sky Sports—Top four in the world set for US Open women's semi-final showdown
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will bid to move one step closer to a third straight US Open title when she faces familiar foe Jessica Pegula, while Elena Rybakina will take on home favourite Coco Gauff in the semi-finals on Thursday from midnight - live on Sky Sports Tennis.
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