The US Open reaches a dramatic turning point as the tournament’s four highest‑seeded women prepare to meet in Thursday’s semi‑finals, broadcast live from midnight on Sky Sports Tennis. Two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will look to edge one step nearer to a historic third consecutive New York crown when she meets familiar adversary Jessica Pegula, while Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina is slated to take on home‑grown favourite Coco Gauff in the other semi‑final. This marks the first occasion since Wimbledon 2009 that all four top seeds have survived to the semi‑final stage of a Grand Slam, underscoring the depth and consistency of the current women’s field. Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff are all former major champions, and third‑seed Pegula is hunting her inaugural Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka’s run in New York has been nothing short of remarkable. She has now reached the semi‑finals for six straight US Opens, a streak that places her among the most durable performers in the event’s modern era. A victory over her would make her the first woman since Serena Williams, who captured three straight titles from 2012 to 2014, to claim a third consecutive US Open crown. The Belarusian entered the tournament as the top seed and had not dropped a set until Tuesday, when she survived a grueling three‑set battle against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova to advance.
In the semi‑final, Sabalenka will confront third‑seed Jessica Pegula, a rivalry that has been rekindled at Flushing Meadows for the third year running. Sabalenka denied Pegula the title in 2024 and repeated the feat in last year’s semi‑finals. Their head‑to‑head record currently stands at 9‑4 in Sabalenka’s favour, although Pegula has claimed two of their last three meetings, including a dominant 6‑0 third set win in the Berlin Open semi‑final earlier this season. "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 remarked, adding, "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." Meanwhile, Sabalenka heads into the match after surrendering the world No.1 ranking to Elena Rybakina, who secured the top spot with a quarter‑final triumph over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng. Rybakina’s ascent makes her the 30th woman to claim the WTA No.1 ranking and the first player from Kazakhstan to achieve that milestone. Sabalenka, who had held the ranking since October 2024, responded that she would gladly trade the ranking for another US Open trophy, stating, "I'll be more than happy. Yes, three‑peat.
Sounds great." Rybakina’s semi‑final opponent, Coco Gauff, entered the match after a spectacular comeback against fifth‑seed Mirra Andreeva, a fellow French Open champion. Gauff was on the brink of defeat in the second set, saving two match points before turning the tide and ultimately prevailing. The victory secured Gauff a place in the semi‑finals for a second consecutive Grand Slam, following her run to the last four at Wimbledon, and she will enjoy the backing of a fervent American crowd as she aims for a second US Open title. Gauff praised her opponent’s form, saying, "Elena is playing some great tennis.
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." For Rybakina, the semi‑final offers a chance to chase a third Grand Slam crown. She also carries a personal motive: a desire for redemption after losing to Gauff in three sets at the Canadian Open semi‑finals last month. Rybakina commented, "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." The two Kazakh‑American rivals are tied 1‑1 in their previous encounters, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle for a spot in Saturday’s championship match.
The US Open’s semi‑finals promise high‑quality tennis, dramatic narratives, and the potential for historic achievements, whether it be Sabalenka’s three‑peat, Rybakina’s ascent to world No.1, Pegula’s breakthrough title, or Gauff’s quest for a second US Open crown. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports from August 30 onward, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the tournament will also be featured at the Laver Cup venue in London’s O2 arena from September 25‑27.
The stage is set for an unforgettable climax to one of tennis’s most prestigious events.