The US Open reaches a dramatic climax as the tournament’s four highest‑seeded women prepare to face off in the semi‑finals on Thursday, a night that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to inch closer to a historic third consecutive title, while she meets familiar adversary Jessica Pegula. On the opposite side of the draw, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina will challenge home‑grown favourite Coco Gauff for a coveted spot in the final.
This marks the first occasion since Wimbledon 2009 that all four top seeds have advanced to the semi‑final stage of a Grand Slam, underscoring the dominance of the current elite. Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff each already hold a major crown, whereas third‑seed Pegula is hunting her inaugural Grand Slam victory.
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 the exclusive company of Serena Williams, who captured three straight New York titles between 2012 and 2014.
The Belarusian entered the tournament as the top seed and had not dropped a set until her quarter‑final clash with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, which she survived in a tightly contested three‑setter. In the semi‑final, Sabalenka will meet Pegula for the third consecutive year at Flushing Meadows. Their rivalry intensified last season when Sabalenka halted Pegula’s title hopes in the 2024 final, and again in the 2023 semi‑finals. Head‑to‑head, Sabalenka leads 9‑4, yet Pegula has claimed two of their last three meetings, including a dominant 6‑0 third set victory in the Berlin Open semi‑final earlier this year.
"I think it’s fun to look at the rivalry we’ve had," Pegula said. "She’s been a big part of my story these past couple of years.
I’ve beaten her a few times, albeit on smaller stages, so it feels like a hurdle I need to clear." Sabalenka’s path to the semi‑final came with a change in the world rankings. After her quarter‑final win, she relinquished the No. 1 spot to Rybakina, who secured the top ranking by defeating Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.
Rybakina’s ascent makes her the 30th woman ever to claim the WTA world No. 1 ranking and the first player from Kazakhstan to achieve that milestone. Sabalenka, who had held the top ranking since October 2024, responded with characteristic confidence: "I’d gladly trade the ranking for another US Open title.
Three‑peat sounds great, and I’m more than happy to chase it." The significance of the top‑four meeting in the semi‑finals extends beyond the US Open. It is only the second time in the Open Era that the women's singles semi‑finals of a Grand Slam have featured the exact top four seeds, the first being Wimbledon 2009. The rarity of this occurrence highlights the current depth and predictability of the women’s game at the very highest level. On the opposite side of the draw, Rybakina’s first US Open semi‑final appearance pits her against the tournament’s fan favourite, Coco Gauff.
Gauff earned her place by staging a remarkable comeback against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, a fellow French Open champion. After trailing in the second set and facing two match points, Gauff rallied to win in three sets, showcasing the resilience that has become her hallmark. Gauff’s victory propelled her into her second consecutive Slam semi‑final, following a strong showing at Wimbledon. With the home crowd behind her, she now seeks a second US Open crown.
"Elena is playing some great tennis," Gauff remarked after the match. "Congrats to her for becoming the new world No. 1 – that’s incredible.
We played each other in Toronto and it didn’t go my way, but I’ll learn from that. I know I’ll face powerful serves and winners, yet I’ll keep fighting and give it everything I’ve got." Rybakina, meanwhile, is eyeing her third Grand Slam title.
She also carries a personal motive: a chance at redemption after losing to Gauff in three sets at the Canadian Open semi‑finals just a month earlier. "I expect a lot of people to support her," Rybakina said of Gauff. "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 about the final push, enjoying the moment, and hoping it goes my way." The head‑to‑head record between Rybakina and Gauff stands at 1‑1, setting up a tightly balanced encounter for a spot in Saturday’s championship match. Both players have demonstrated the capacity to raise their level under pressure, and the semi‑final promises high‑quality tennis, dramatic swings, and a showcase of the sport’s emerging stars.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering contract‑free viewing. For those in London, the Laver Cup will be staged at The O2 from September 25‑27, also broadcast on Sky Sports, providing additional tennis excitement beyond the US Open. As the night unfolds, the narrative will focus on whether Sabalenka can complete a historic three‑peat, whether Pegula can finally break through for her maiden Grand Slam, if Rybakina can cement her rise to world No. 1 with a title, and whether Gauff can harness home‑court energy to secure a second US Open trophy.
The stakes are high, the rivalries are familiar, and the talent on display is among the best the sport has ever seen.