Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will bid to move one step closer to a third straight US Open title when she faces familiar foe Jessica Pegula, while Elena Rybakina will take on home favourite Coco Gauff in the semi-finals on Thursday from midnight – live on Sky Sports Tennis.
For the first time since Wimbledon in 2009, all four top seeds at a Grand Slam have reached the semi-finals, with Sabalenka, Rybakina and Gauff all former major champions and third seed Pegula seeking a maiden Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals here for a sixth consecutive year and is now two wins away from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014 to win three straight titles in New York.
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Highlights from the quarter-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova
The top seed had not dropped a set before surviving her toughest test of the tournament on Tuesday, edging Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
The Belarusian will face a familiar opponent in third seed Pegula, with their rivalry returning to Flushing Meadows for a third straight year after Sabalenka denied the American the title in 2024 and then beat her again in last year’s semi-finals.
Does Pegula have the edge?
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Highlights of the clash between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro
Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 9-4 but Pegula has won two of their last three encounters, including a victory in the Berlin Open semi-finals earlier this year in which she took the deciding set 6-0.
“I think it’s fun to look at the rivalry we’ve had. She’s got to me here the last couple of years,” Pegula said.
“I have been able to beat her a few times, maybe on a smaller stage, so I think that’s going to be kind of a hurdle for me to get over.”
Sabalenka will head into the semi-final after surrendering top spot in the world rankings, which Rybakina secured with her quarter-final victory over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.
The Australian Open winner will become the 30th woman to top the WTA rankings and the first from Kazakhstan to reach world No 1 when the new rankings are released after the tournament.
Sabalenka, who had held the top spot since October 2024, said she would gladly trade it for another US Open title.
“I’ll be more than happy,” she said. “Yes, three-peat. Sounds great.”
Did you know?
The top four seeds have reached the women’s singles semi-finals at a Grand Slam event for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009, and for just the second time in the Open Era at the US Open after 1975
New world No 1 up against the fan-favourite
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Highlights from the clash between Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva.
Rybakina’s reward for reaching the semi-finals for the first time in New York is a meeting with fan-favourite Gauff, who produced a stunning comeback to beat fifth seed and fellow French Open winner Mirra Andreeva.
The 2023 US Open champion was on the brink of defeat in the second set before saving two match points and turning the match around.
Gauff’s victory put her into the semi-finals at a second straight Slam after her run to the last four at Wimbledon, and she will have the home crowd behind her as she bids to clinch a second US Open title.
“Elena is playing some great tennis,” said Gauff. “Congrats to her for being the new world No 1 or will be the new World No 1. I think that’s incredible.
“We played each other in Toronto. That didn’t go my way, so I think I just have to learn from that match.
“I know I’m going to have some aces hit on me and some winners hit on me, but I’m going to keep fighting and give it my all.”
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Gauff and Andreeva produced an epic 39-shot rally, with the American coming out on top
A third Slam title or revenge for Gauff?
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Highlights from the quarter-final between Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng
Rybakina will bid for a third Grand Slam title, while Gauff will have revenge on her mind after the Kazakh beat her in three sets in last month’s Canadian Open semi-finals.
On playing Gauff, Rybakina said: “I will expect that a lot of people are going to support her.
“I just need to stay aggressive. I think from where I was coming to this tournament, being injured and not practicing, I think we came pretty far. Now we just last push and important to still enjoy. Hopefully it’s going to go my way.”
The pair are tied 1-1 in their previous meetings and will face off for a place in Saturday’s final.
The US Open is live on Sky Sports from August 30. Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can also watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.