Aryna Sabalenka Now One Victory From A Three-Peat At U.S. Open

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Aryna Sabalenka celebrates a point against Jessica Pegula of the United States during their Women’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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Only two women have ever engineered a three-peat at the U.S. Open, and they are two of the greatest ever.

Chrissie Evert won four consecutive titles from 1975-78 and Serena Williams, generally considered the GOAT of women’s tennis, won three in a row from 2012-14.

Now Aryna Sabalenka is looking to join the club.

The No. 1 seed moved into Saturday’s final with a ruthless 7-5, 6-2 victory over No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in the first women’s semifinal Thursday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sabalenka has won 20 straight matches at the U.S. Open and is the first woman to reach four straight U.S. Open finals since Williams from 2011-14.

“That was just flawless from Sabalenka,” former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki said on ESPN. “Pegula didn’t play poorly, but Sabalenka, the serve was working, her returns were working, she hammered any second serves she saw. She was able to spread the balls wide…Everything was going her way…If she’s playing like this, she’s pretty much impossible to beat.”

It marked the third straight year the two women have squared off in Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka beat Pegula in the 2024 U.S. Open final, and then defeated her in three sets in the semifinals last year en route to her second straight title.

“No complaints,” Sabalenka said on court. “I’m super happy I was able to pull out such tennis. The last match I played against Jessica it was almost impossible for me to get the win. I’m super happy I was able to play such tennis in front of you all. Thank you for the atmosphere. You guys are the best. Your respect to me is priceless. I know you wanted her to win, it’s obvious. But thank you for being so respectful to me. Love you guys.”

In Saturday’s final, Sabalenka will go for the three-peat against the winner between No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who has supplanted Sabalenka as the world No. 1, and No. 3 Coco Gauff, the 2023 champion.

Asked before the semis if she would trade the No. 1 ranking for a three-peat, Sabalenka said, “Yes, three-peat. Sounds great.”

Sabalenka is now 10-4 against Pegula, who is still seeking her first major title.

Pegula is a combined 1-6 in 2026 against Sabalenka, Rybakina, and Gauff. Her lone win came against Sabalenka on grass in Berlin.

With Pegula serving to stay in the first set at 5-6, she fell behind 0-40 and then at 15-40 she netted a forehand after Sabalenka ripped a forehand that hit the line. Sabalenka took the first set 7-5.

Both players served over 70% on first serves in the first set.

In the second set, Sabalenka broke for 3-1 with a vicious 91 mph inside-out crosscourt forehand return winner.

Sabalenka then hit a running forehand winner up the line to hold serve for 4-1.

With Pegula serving to stay in the match at 2-5, the American hit a double-handed backhand long to bring it to match point at 30-40.

On match point, Sabalenka crushed a forehand winner into the corner and then raised her fist in celebration.