Sabalenka rallies past Pegula to reach third straight US Open final

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka kept her US Open title defense alive, rallying past American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to book her place in the final at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka has now reached every Grand Slam final played on hard courts since 2022. With Thursday’s night victory, she advances to her third consecutive US Open final.


In a rematch of last year’s semifinal, Sabalenka overcame a shaky start and a partisan New York crowd, blasting 43 winners and eight aces to overpower the fourth seed. After dropping the opener, the Belarusian left the court and returned with renewed focus, racing to a 3-0 lead in the second set and leveling the match with sharper shot-making.



Pegula, who had been in strong form throughout the tournament, controlled the first set with just three unforced errors and broke Sabalenka late to seize the lead. But she struggled to withstand the defending champion’s power as the match progressed.


Sabalenka struck early in the decider, breaking in the opening game before digging deep in a tense sixth, where she saved three break points to hold. Pegula saved two match points to stay alive, but Sabalenka sealed victory with a forehand winner before unleashing a roar of celebration.

"She played incredible tennis. I had to work really hard to get this win," Sabalenka said.


After sealing her spot in the final for the third straight year, Sabalenka reflected on the significance of the moment and vowed to bring her trademark intensity to the title match.

"It means a lot," an emotional Sabalenka said in her on-court interview. "I’ll go out there on Saturday, and fight for every point like it's the last point of my life."


The reigning champion will face either four-time major winner Naomi Osaka or eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in Saturday’s championship match.