Sabalenka beats Pegula to reach fourth straight US Open final

Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominance on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows by defeating No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the US Open 2026 semifinal. The victory sends the Belarusian into her fourth consecutive final at the tournament, a rare achievement, and puts her on the cusp of a historic three-peat. The match was played at Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of a packed crowd, including former First Lady Michelle Obama. Pegula, the home favorite who was runner-up last year, started strongly with precise shots, saving a break point with a forehand winner. However, Sabalenka gradually found her rhythm after an early tense moment when she threw her racquet in frustration following a double fault. "I was almost desperate because I wanted to win so badly," Sabalenka said after the match. "But I stayed calm and waited for my opportunity." That opportunity came when she broke serve at a crucial moment in the first set, closing it out 7-5. In the second set, Sabalenka completely took over, firing 29 winners and 7 aces, while Pegula made costly errors, allowing the second set to end quickly at 6-2. Sabalenka's opponent in the final will be the winner between Coco Gauff (2026 champion) and Elena Rybakina (No. 2 seed). Both are formidable challenges, but with her current form, Sabalenka can realistically aim for her third straight title. "This is a historic moment," an ESPN commentator noted. "Sabalenka has overcome the pressure to become the first female player since Serena Williams to win three consecutive US Open titles." The final promises to be a thrilling encounter where Sabalenka can complete the hat-trick and cement her status as the queen of hard courts.