The US Open reaches a dramatic turning point as the tournament’s four highest‑seeded women prepare to meet in the semi‑finals on Thursday, with live coverage beginning at midnight on Sky Sports Tennis. Two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will try to edge one step closer to a historic third consecutive New York title when she squares off against the familiar challenger Jessica Pegula, while Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina will face home‑grown favourite Coco Gauff in the other semi‑final. This is the first occasion since Wimbledon 2009 that all four top seeds have progressed to the last four of a Grand Slam, underscoring the depth of talent on display.
Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff are all former major winners, and third‑seed Pegula is hunting her inaugural Grand Slam trophy. Sabalenka’s consistency is remarkable: she has reached the US Open semi‑final stage for six straight years, a streak that puts her just two victories away from matching Serena Williams’ feat of three back‑to‑back titles in New York (2012‑2014). The Belarusian entered the tournament without dropping a set, surviving a tight quarter‑final against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova before earning a place in the penultimate round. Her upcoming opponent, Jessica Pegula, is the third seed and a long‑time rival.
The two have met regularly at Flushing Meadows, with Sabalenka denying Pegula the championship in 2024 and again prevailing in last year’s semi‑finals. Their head‑to‑head record currently stands at 9‑4 in Sabalenka’s favour, though Pegula has taken two of their last three meetings, including a dominant 6‑0 third‑set victory 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 said. "I’ve managed to beat her a few times, albeit on a smaller stage, so it will be a personal hurdle to get over." Meanwhile, the world rankings have shifted dramatically. Elena Rybakina, after dispatching Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the quarter‑finals, claimed the No. 1 spot, ending Sabalenka’s reign that began in October 2024.
Rybakina’s ascent makes her the 30th woman ever to top the WTA rankings and the first player from Kazakhstan to achieve the world‑No. 1 ranking. Sabalenka, who has held the top spot for the better part of the year, responded with characteristic focus: "I’d gladly trade the ranking for another US Open title.
Three‑peat sounds great, and I’m more than happy to chase it." Rybakina’s semi‑final opponent, Coco Gauff, entered the match on the back of an electrifying comeback win over 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 securing her place in the semi‑finals for a second consecutive major, following her deep run at Wimbledon. The American will enjoy the support of a fervent home crowd as she aims to capture a second US Open crown. Gauff praised her upcoming adversary, saying, "Elena is playing some great tennis.
Congratulations to her for becoming the new world No. 1 – that’s incredible. We met in Toronto and it didn’t go my way, but I’ll learn from that match. I know I’ll face powerful serves and winners, but I’ll keep fighting and give it my all." The semi‑final also carries an element of personal redemption.
Rybakina lost to Gauff in three sets at the Canadian Open semi‑finals just a month earlier, and will be eager to reverse that result. Speaking about the upcoming clash, Rybakina noted, "I expect a lot of people will back her, but I just need to stay aggressive. Coming into this tournament injured and with limited practice, I think we’ve come a long way.
Now it’s a final push – I have to enjoy it and hope it goes my way." Statistically, the two are tied 1‑1 in their previous meetings, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle for a spot in Saturday’s championship match. The US Open’s semi‑finals promise high drama, historic milestones, and the potential for a new world No. 1 to be crowned. Fans can tune in to Sky Sports from August 30 onward, or stream the action via NOW and the Sky Sports app without a contract.
Additionally, the Laver Cup will be broadcast live from The O2 in London between September 25‑27 on the same network. Overall, the convergence of the top four seeds in the semi‑finals highlights a rare moment of dominance by the sport’s elite, reminiscent of the 2009 Wimbledon scenario and only the second such occurrence at the US Open in the Open Era since 1975. Whether Sabalenka secures a historic three‑peat, Pegula breaks through for her first Grand Slam triumph, Rybakina cements her world‑No. 1 status with a third major, or Gauff adds a second US Open title to her résumé, Thursday’s matches are set to deliver unforgettable tennis drama.