The US Open women's singles semi-finals promise a dramatic showdown as the tournament’s four highest‑seeded players converge on Flushing Meadows. Two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will look to edge one step nearer to a historic third consecutive title when she meets familiar rival Jessica Pegula. On the opposite side of the draw, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina will take on home‑grown favorite Coco Gauff, a match that carries both national pride and personal redemption narratives.
For the first time since Wimbledon in 2009, every top seed at a Grand Slam has survived to the semi‑final stage. Sabalenka (seed 1), Rybakina (seed 2), Gauff (seed 4) and Pegula (seed 3) all boast major titles, with Pegula seeking her inaugural Grand Slam crown. Sabalenka’s consistency is remarkable – this marks her sixth straight US Open semi‑final appearance, and she stands just two victories away from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams’ 2012‑2014 run to capture three straight New York titles. Sabalenka’s path to Thursday’s match has been relatively smooth; she had not dropped a set until the quarter‑finals, where she survived a tight three‑set battle against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
The Belarusian now faces Pegula, a player she has bested nine times to four in their head‑to‑head record. However, Pegula has turned the tide recently, winning two of their last three encounters, including a dominant 6‑0 third set in the Berlin Open semi‑final earlier this year. "It’s interesting to look at our rivalry," Pegula remarked. "She’s been a tough opponent for me these past couple of years, and beating her on a big stage would be a huge hurdle to overcome." The stakes are high for Sabalenka beyond the trophy.
After a quarter‑final win by Rybakina over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, the Kazakh player ascended to world No. 1, ending Sabalenka’s reign at the top of the WTA rankings that began in October 2024. Sabalenka, who has publicly said she would gladly exchange the ranking for another US Open crown, responded, "I’ll be more than happy. Yes, a three‑peat sounds great." The upcoming semi‑final will therefore be a test of whether she can reclaim her dominance without the pressure of being world number one.
Rybakina’s semi‑final appearance is her first in New York, and it pits her against a crowd‑pleasing American in Gauff. The 2023 US Open champion survived a near‑defeat against fifth‑seed Mirra Andreeva, saving two match points in the second set before rallying to win. That comeback highlighted Gauff’s resilience and set the tone for her run to a second consecutive Grand Slam semi‑final, following a deep run at Wimbledon.
With the home crowd behind her, Gauff will be eager to add a second US Open title to her résumé. Gauff praised Rybakina’s form, stating, "Elena is playing some great tennis. Congratulations on becoming the new world No.
1 – that’s incredible." She also reflected on a recent loss to Rybakina in the Canadian Open semi‑finals, noting the need to learn from that experience. "I know I’ll face powerful serves and winners, but I’ll keep fighting and give it everything I’ve got," Gauff added.
Rybakina, meanwhile, is focused on staying aggressive and enjoying the moment despite a challenging preparation period that included injury setbacks. "I expect a lot of people to support Coco, but I just need to stay aggressive.
Coming into this tournament, I’ve dealt with injuries and limited practice, yet we’ve come this far. Now it’s about the final push and still enjoying the game," she explained.
The Kazakh and the American are tied 1‑1 in their previous meetings, making this semi‑final a true tie‑breaker for a spot in the championship match on Saturday. The broader context of this semi‑final lineup is historic.
It marks only the second time in the Open Era that the US Open women’s singles semi‑finals have been contested exclusively by the top four seeds, the first occurrence dating back to 1975. This convergence of elite talent underscores the depth and competitiveness of the current women’s tour. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Tennis starting at midnight on Thursday, with streaming options available via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, eliminating the need for a long‑term contract.
Additionally, the Laver Cup will be broadcast from The O2 in London later in September, offering further high‑profile tennis coverage. In summary, Thursday’s semi‑finals present a compelling mix of narratives: Sabalenka’s quest for a three‑peat versus Pegula’s hunger for a maiden Grand Slam, and Rybakina’s maiden US Open appearance against Gauff’s home‑court advantage and desire for redemption.
With world rankings shifting, historic milestones on the line, and the electric atmosphere of New York’s final Grand Slam of the season, tennis enthusiasts can anticipate a night of high‑quality, emotionally charged matches that could shape the legacy of these four remarkable athletes.