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 championship match. Two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will look to edge closer to a historic third consecutive title when she meets the familiar challenger Jessica Pegula, while Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina is slated to face home‑favorite Coco Gauff in the other semi‑final, a showdown that will be broadcast live from midnight on Sky Sports Tennis.
This marks the first occasion since Wimbledon in 2009 that all four top seeds have advanced to the semi‑final stage of a Grand Slam. The quartet—Sabalenka, Rybakina, Gauff and third‑seed Pegula—comprises three former major winners and a rising star eager to claim her inaugural Grand Slam trophy. Their convergence in Flushing Meadows underscores a rare alignment of form and ranking that promises high‑stakes tennis.
Sabalenka’s consistency is remarkable; she has reached the US Open semi‑finals for six straight years, a streak that places her just two victories away from matching Serena Williams’ 2012‑2014 run of three back‑to‑back titles in New York. The Belarusian entered the tournament as the top seed and, until her quarter‑final clash with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, had not dropped a set.
She survived that test by the narrowest of margins, demonstrating the resilience that will be essential against Pegula. The upcoming match against Pegula revives a rivalry that has unfolded at Flushing Meadows for three consecutive years. Sabalenka denied Pegula the championship in 2024 and then prevailed again in last year’s semi‑finals. Their head‑to‑head record now stands at 9‑4 in Sabalenka’s favour, although Pegula has won two of their last three meetings, including a dominant 6‑0 final set in 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 tough opponent for me these past couple of years," Pegula remarked, adding, "I’ve managed to beat her a few times, albeit on smaller stages, so this will be a hurdle I’m eager to overcome." Meanwhile, Sabalenka will head into the semi‑final after surrendering the world No. 1 ranking to Rybakina, who secured the top spot with a quarter‑final victory over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng. Rybakina’s ascent makes her the 30th woman ever to claim the WTA No.
1 ranking and the first player from Kazakhstan to do so. Sabalenka, who has occupied the summit since October 2024, responded to the shift by stating she would gladly trade the ranking for another US Open crown: "I’ll be more than happy.
Yes, a three‑peat sounds great." Rybakina’s semi‑final opponent, Coco Gauff, has been a crowd favourite throughout the tournament. The American produced a dramatic comeback against fifth seed and fellow French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, saving two match points in the second set before turning the tide. That victory propelled Gauff into her second consecutive Grand Slam semi‑final, following a similar run at Wimbledon, and she now enjoys the support of a home audience eager to see her capture a second US Open title.
Gauff praised Rybakina’s form, noting, "Elena is playing some great tennis. Congrats to her for being the new world No. 1—or about to be. That’s incredible." She also reflected on a recent loss to Rybakina in the Canadian Open semi‑final, saying, "We played each other in Toronto and it didn’t go my way, so I have to learn from that match.
I know I’ll face powerful serves and winners, but I’ll keep fighting and give it my all." For Rybakina, the match represents a chance to secure a third Grand Slam title. She acknowledged the challenge of facing Gauff, especially with the American’s home‑court advantage, but emphasized staying aggressive and enjoying the moment despite a season hampered by injury and limited practice. "I expect a lot of people to support her, but I just need to stay aggressive.
Coming into this tournament injured, we’ve come pretty far. Now it’s the final push, and I hope it goes my way," she said. The two competitors are tied 1‑1 in their previous encounters, setting up a balanced and unpredictable contest for a place in Saturday’s final. Should Sabalenka and Gauff prevail, the championship would feature a clash between the tournament’s most dominant player and the fan‑favoured American, a narrative that would capture global attention.
The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering viewers flexible ways to follow the action. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts can catch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also televised on Sky Sports. The semi‑finals promise high‑quality tennis, historic stakes, and the potential for new chapters in the careers of four of the sport’s brightest stars.