Sabalenka Storms Past Pegula To Reach Fourth Straight US Open Final
Aryna Sabalenka stormed into the US Open 2026 final after defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the first women’s semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The top-seeded Belarusian survived a competitive opening set before finding another level late on, breaking Pegula while serving at 5-6 to take control. Sabalenka then carried that momentum into the second set, breaking early and never allowing the American to settle. She finished with 29 winners and seven aces, while Pegula struggled on her second serve and could not match Sabalenka’s power from the baseline. The victory extended Sabalenka’s winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 19 matches and put her one win away from a historic third consecutive US Open title. She will face Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s final.
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, celebrates winning a match against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, left, and Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, hug at the net after Sabalenka won their match during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, waves as she leaves the court following a defeat against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, serves to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, returns the ball to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, returns the ball to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts during a match against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, bottom, returns the ball to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, arrives for a match against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, ahead of the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, arrives for her match against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York. | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Published At:
Tags