The 2026 US Open women's singles semifinals have arrived with all four top seeds advancing to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula will face off in one bracket, while Coco Gauff takes on Elena Rybakina in the other.
Sabalenka’s pursuit of Serena Williams’ 2014 dominance
As the tournament progresses toward its climax, Aryna Sabalenka is attempting to etch her name into the history books. The top-seeded Belarusian is chasing a third consecutive U.S. Open title, a feat that would place her alongside Serena Williams, who achieved a similar three-year run in 2014. According to the tournament report, Sabalenka’s dominance at Flushing Meadows is well-documented, as she currently holds a 19-match winning streak at the event.
This pursuit of greatness comes at a high-pressure moment in the tournament.. While Sabalenka has shown the power necessary to dominate the hard courts, the weight of history and the pressure of defending her title add a layer of intensity to her upcoming match against the third seed.
The 13-match history between Sabalenka and Pegula
The semifinal matchup between Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula is more than just a battle for a spot in the final; it is a continuation of a long-standing rivalry . the two players have faced each other 13 times on the WTA Tour, with Sabalenka having secured four of those victories. This includes high-stakes encounters in previous Grand Slam stages that have defined their competitive relationship.
Pegula, the third seed, enters this match looking to finally secure her maiden Grand Slam title. She arrives in the semifinals following a resilient quarter-final performance where she defeated her opponent with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. For Pegula, overcoming Sabalenka represents the ultimate hurdle in her quest for major glory.
Coco Gauff’s set-perfect run meets Rybakina’s Australian Open momentum
In the opposing bracket, the fourth seed Coco Gauff is looking to defend her 2023 U.S. Open crown. Gauff has been remarkably efficient in her 2026 campaign, having not dropped a single set across her first five matches. This dominant stretch included a significant fourth-round victory over former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka.
Gauff’s path to the semifinals will require her to overcome the seasoned power of Elena Rybakina. the second seed, who recently won the 2026 Australian Open, has also been in exceptional form, losing only a single set throughout her earlier matches. this clash between Gauff’s youthful vigor and Rybakina’s precision sets the stage for a high-quality showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Can Sabalenka and Gauff overcome recent scares?
Despite the strength of the top four seeds, there are lingering questions regarding the consistency of the favorites. As the source reports, Sabalenka’s form has been described as "uneven" heading into these final stages. This was most evident during her quarter-final match, where she survived a nerve-wrenching battle against Linda Noskova, trailing 4-2 in the third set and 2-0 in a tie-break before eventually winning 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7).
Similarly, while Coco Gauff has been dominant, the report notes she is looking to move past a second-quarter-final scare involving Mirra Andreeva. It remains to be seen if these players can maintain their mental composure when facing opponents who are also playing at a championship level.
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