Sabalenka rolls past Pegula to reach third straight U.S. Open final
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the U.S. Open semifinals on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The two-time defending champion will face either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina in Saturday's final. Sabalenka's win comes despite a recent dip in form, and she will relinquish the world No. 1 ranking after the tournament regardless of the outcome.
Sabalenka's semifinal victory unfolded on a humid evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she faced just one break point in the opening set and erased it with a commanding serve and forehand. After eleven consecutive holds, she broke Pegula at 6-5, then cruised through the second set.
Despite a difficult stretch since April, Sabalenka has regained her top form in New York. She now seeks a third straight U.S. Open title, though she will drop from the world No. 1 ranking next week regardless of the final result. She awaits either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka's sustained success could elevate women's tennis viewership and inspire young players to embrace aggressive baseline play. Her upcoming final may also reshape discussions about ranking systems, as she demonstrates that peak tournament performance can outweigh year-long consistency. Fans and sponsors could see increased interest in the sport, while her resilience might serve as a motivational model for athletes navigating mid-season slumps.