Sabalenka and Pegula Set Up US Open Semi-Final Rematch

Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula both recovered from set deficits to win their respective quarter-final matches at the US Open, setting up a semi-final meeting in New York. Two-time defending champion Sabalenka defeated Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a third-set tie-break, while third seed Pegula eliminated fellow American Emma Navarro in three sets.

Sabalenka recovers against Noskova

Sabalenka, the 28-year-old top seed from Belarus, defeated sixth seed Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) to record her 19th consecutive match victory at the US Open. Sabalenka trailed 4-2 in the final set and dropped the first two points of the deciding tie-break before winning the match with a second-serve ace.

“I’m speechless right now,” Sabalenka said after the match. She noted that thinking the match was over allowed her to play more freely late in the third set. With the win, Sabalenka became the first woman to reach six consecutive US Open semi-finals since Serena Williams in 2016.

Sabalenka hit four double faults and converted two of nine break points during her first three-set match of the tournament. Noskova recorded more winners and fewer unforced errors than Sabalenka, but the loss ended her 11-match winning streak in Grand Slam singles play.

Pegula battles past Navarro

Pegula, the 32-year-old third seed, reached her third consecutive US Open semi-final by defeating 26th seed Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes. Pegula lost two of her opening three service games before levelling the match in the second set and breaking Navarro in the sixth game of the decider.

Pegula faced 24 break points during the contest. Since 2020, Pegula leads the WTA tour in both comeback wins, with 48, and three-set victories, with 90.

“I was fighting a lot of demons out there today,” Pegula said to the crowd following her victory.

World number one ranking on the line

The upcoming semi-final between Sabalenka and Pegula holds implications for the WTA world number one ranking. Sabalenka remains at the top of the standings for now, but Elena Rybakina could overtake her if Rybakina defeats Zheng Qinwen in her quarter-final.

Asked about the possibility of retaining her US Open title while losing the top ranking to Rybakina, Sabalenka remarked, “Three-peat – sounds great.” Pegula also maintains a mathematical chance to reach world number one, which would require her to win the US Open title while Rybakina fails to reach the semi-finals.

Background

Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, having won two Australian Open titles and two US Open titles. She has reached at least the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in every appearance since 2021.

Pegula reached her first major final at the US Open two years ago, finishing as runner-up to Sabalenka. She also reached the Australian Open final earlier this year.