Aryna Sabalenka cruises past Jessica Pegula and into the U.S. Open final

In a dominant performance at the 2026 U.S. Open women's semifinals, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This victory places Sabalenka in the final, where she would be seeking her third consecutive title in New York—an extraordinary accomplishment. The U.S. Open stands as the most challenging Grand Slam tournament to defend, typically occurring at a season's end when top players may be fatigued or injured.

Sabalenka's recent struggles, however, seem to have vanished as she prepares for her third shot at a Grand Slam title this year. Throughout the match, Sabalenka exhibited remarkable composure, winning the first set with 11 straight breaks of serve and displaying strong forehand and serve techniques. Pegula attempted to counter with powerful flat shots, but her efforts were largely unsuccessful.

In the second set, Sabalenka further solidified her lead, committing two errors to force Pegula's second double fault. The champion then confidently sealed the match, celebrating her return to the final stage in her beloved tennis city.