Sabalenka beats Pegula to set up Rybakina epic in US Open final
Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to reach US Open final with Elena Rybakina, who toppled her as World No 1.
Aryna Sabalenka stormed past Jessica Pegula in straight sets on Thursday to keep her bid for a rare US Open threepeat on track, booking a championship showdown with Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka was simply unstoppable in a 7-5, 6-2 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she beat Pegula en route to US Open victories in 2024 and 2025.
In Saturday’s final, the Kazakh will try to deal Sabalenka another blow after her run to the semifinals ensured she will end the Belarusian’s reign atop the world rankings.
Gauff’s bid to return to the final for the first time since she defeated Sabalenka for the 2023 title had got off to a smooth start, the American gaining the lone break of the opening set for a 4-2 lead and pocketing the set with a love game.