Sabalenka, Rybakina, Pegula and Gauff
At the 2026 US Open in New York, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff filled the women’s semifinal field as the tournament’s top four seeds at Flushing Meadows.
The alignment matched a rare Open Era milestone. The US Open had seen the top four women’s seeds reach the semifinals together only once before, in 1975, while Wimbledon last did so in 2009.
Aryna Sabalenka survives Noskova
Sabalenka reached the semifinals by defeating Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7). She recovered after trailing 4-2 in the deciding set during Tuesday’s day session inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The top seed struck 42 winners but converted only two of nine break opportunities. Sabalenka later said thinking the match might be over helped her relax and play more freely during the comeback.
Elena Rybakina secures No. 1 ranking
Rybakina advanced by defeating Qinwen Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The victory guaranteed she would become world No. 1 when the updated WTA rankings were released after the US Open ended.
The Kazakh player entered New York ranked No. 2 and had dropped only one set before the semifinals. Her quarterfinal victory also marked her best US Open result, surpassing her 2025 fourth-round run.
Jessica Pegula reaches third straight semi
Pegula reached a third straight US Open semifinal by beating fellow American Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. She recovered after dropping the opening set in their Tuesday quarterfinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 32-year-old became the first Open Era player to reach her first four career Grand Slam semifinals after turning 30. Her 2026 season also included an Australian Open semifinal appearance earlier in Melbourne.
Coco Gauff saves two match points
Gauff saved two match points before defeating Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2. The American recovered after losing the opening set and advanced through Wednesday’s quarterfinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The 22-year-old reached another major semifinal, her second at the US Open. She also won a 39-stroke rally and entered Thursday with a 15-1 record across her previous 16 matches.
Aryna Sabalenka chases third straight title
Sabalenka’s bid for a third consecutive US Open title ended Saturday when Elena Rybakina defeated her 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. The loss also stopped Sabalenka’s long winning streak at Flushing Meadows.
Rybakina denied Sabalenka a place alongside Chris Evert and Serena Williams as Open Era winners of at least three straight US Open singles titles. Sabalenka finished as runner-up after reaching a fourth consecutive final.
Elena Rybakina carries major winning form
Rybakina completed her New York run by defeating Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in Saturday’s championship match. The victory gave the Kazakh player her first US Open title and third Grand Slam singles trophy.
Her 2026 major haul now includes the Australian Open and US Open championships. Rybakina is now world No. 1 in the WTA rankings.
Sabalenka and Pegula renew rivalry
Pegula’s semifinal against Sabalenka renewed a familiar rivalry. Sabalenka led their career series 9-4 entering Thursday, while Pegula had won their previous meeting in the 2026 Berlin semifinals on grass.
The matchup repeated the 2024 US Open final, which Sabalenka won 7-5, 7-5. They met again in the 2025 semifinal, where Sabalenka recovered from one set down to advance in New York.
Rybakina and Gauff meet again
Rybakina and Gauff entered their semifinal having met three times before, with two matches played in Toronto and another meeting in Dubai. Gauff held a 2-1 advantage before their first US Open meeting.
Gauff won their 2022 Toronto meeting and received a walkover against Rybakina in the 2023 Dubai tournament, while Rybakina prevailed in Toronto in 2026. Rybakina then beat Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in New York.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula
Sabalenka defeated Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first women’s semifinal. The victory sent the two-time defending champion into her fourth consecutive US Open final and ended Pegula’s 2026 New York run.
Pegula reached the US Open final in 2024 and the semifinals in both 2025 and 2026. Sabalenka defeated her in New York during each of those three consecutive tournaments at Flushing Meadows.
Fun fact: Coco Gauff once celebrated a doubles victory early and went to hug Jessica Pegula before realizing the match was not actually over.
Elena Rybakina rallies past Coco Gauff
Rybakina defeated Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second women’s semifinal. She recovered after dropping the opening set and secured the first US Open final appearance of her career Thursday night.
The result ended Gauff’s bid for a second US Open title after her 2023 championship. Rybakina advanced to face Sabalenka in a rematch of their 2026 Australian Open final, which Rybakina won.
Sabalenka and Rybakina set final
Sabalenka and Rybakina completed the women’s championship match Saturday, with Rybakina winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. The result delivered her first US Open crown and prevented Sabalenka from claiming three straight New York titles.
The victory gave Rybakina her third Grand Slam singles championship after Wimbledon 2022 and the 2026 Australian Open. She is now world No. 1 in the WTA rankings.
Venus Williams joins the criticism of the US Open’s midnight scheduling, adding a veteran player’s perspective to concerns about how late finishes can affect recovery, preparation, and the tournament experience.
Four Americans reach singles semifinals
Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff both reached the women’s semifinals, while Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton advanced to the men’s final four. The United States placed four players across the two singles semifinal draws.
The women’s tournament ended without an all-American final after Sabalenka defeated Pegula and Rybakina beat Gauff on Thursday. Tiafoe and Shelton were paired against each other in Friday’s men’s semifinal.
Coco Gauff joins elite company after a dominant US Open win, placing her latest performance within a broader run of major tournament success that continues to strengthen her standing among the sport’s top players.
Sabalenka, Rybakina, Pegula, and Gauff made a rare piece of US Open history, but which player impressed you most during the tournament? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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