The US Open reaches a pivotal moment on Thursday as the tournament's four highest‑seeded women prepare to battle for a place in the final. Two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will look to edge closer to a historic third consecutive title when she meets familiar rival Jessica Pegula, while Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina is slated to face home‑grown favorite Coco Gauff in the other semi‑final, both matches kicking off at midnight and broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
This weekend marks a rare statistical milestone: for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009, all four top seeds have advanced to the semi‑final stage of a Grand Slam. Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff are all former major champions, and third‑seed Pegula is hunting her inaugural Grand Slam crown. Sabalenka’s consistency is remarkable; she has reached the US Open semi‑finals for six straight years. A win would place her just two matches away from joining an exclusive club of women who have captured three straight New York titles—a feat not accomplished since Serena Williams’ run from 2012 to 2014.
The Belarusian entered the tournament as the top seed and had not dropped a set until Tuesday, when she survived a tight three‑set duel with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. In the upcoming semi‑final, Sabalenka will encounter Pegula for the third consecutive year at Flushing Meadows. Their rivalry deepened after Sabalenka denied Pegula the championship in 2024 and then prevailed again in last year’s semi‑final. Although Sabalenka leads the head‑to‑head 9‑4, Pegula has claimed two of their last three meetings, most recently dispatching Sabalenka 6‑0 in the decisive set of the Berlin Open semi‑final earlier this season.
"I think it’s fun to look at the rivalry we’ve had. She’s been a big part of my story these past couple of years," Pegula remarked, adding, "I’ve beaten her a few times on smaller stages, so that’s a hurdle I’m ready to overcome." Sabalenka’s path to the semi‑final also involved a shift in the world rankings.
After her quarter‑final triumph, she relinquished the No. 1 spot to Rybakina, who secured the top ranking with a win over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng. The Kazakh will become the 30th woman to claim the WTA No.
1 ranking and the first player from Kazakhstan to do so when the new rankings are released following the tournament. Sabalenka, who has held the top spot since October 2024, said she would gladly trade the ranking for another US Open trophy: "I’ll be more than happy.
Yes, a three‑peat sounds great." The convergence of the top four seeds in the semi‑finals is a rarity not seen at the US Open since 1975, making this a historic moment for the sport. Meanwhile, Rybakina’s semi‑final opponent, Coco Gauff, earned her place by staging a dramatic comeback against fifth‑seed Mirra Andreeva, a fellow French Open champion. Gauff was on the brink of defeat in the second set, saved two match points, and turned the tide to win the match, showcasing the resilience that has become her hallmark. Gauff’s victory propels her into her second consecutive Grand Slam semi‑final, following a deep run at Wimbledon.
With the support of a fervent New York crowd, she aims to capture a second US Open title. "Elena is playing some great tennis," Gauff said after her quarter‑final win.
"Congrats to her for being the new world No 1 or soon to be. I know I’ll face a lot of aces and winners, but I’ll keep fighting and give it my all." Rybakina, on the other hand, is eyeing a third Grand Slam crown. She also carries a personal motive: revenge against Gauff, who defeated her in three sets at the Canadian Open semi‑final last month. Rybakina noted, "I expect a lot of people will support her, but I just need to stay aggressive.
Coming into this tournament injured and with limited practice, I think we’ve come far. Now it’s the final push, and I hope to enjoy the moment and have it go my way." The two Kazakh‑American rivals are tied 1‑1 in their previous encounters, setting up a compelling showdown for a spot in Saturday’s final. Both players have expressed respect for each other's game while acknowledging the high stakes of a US Open title.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports from August 30 onward. The tournament is also available for streaming without a contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App, offering flexible viewing options. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts can attend the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also broadcast on Sky Sports, ensuring a summer packed with top‑level tennis across multiple platforms.