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Live sport on SN this weekendSabalenka pushes past Pegula into US Open final
Amy Tennery • September 11th, 2026 1:40 pm
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka is through to the women's final of the US Open at Flushing Meadows | Photo: AP
Aryna Sabalenka has beaten Jessica Pegula in straight sets to reach the US Open final, moving one win away from a rare third consecutive title at the hardcourt major.
The top seed relied on her usual power to chip away at Pegula, sending over 29 winners and seven aces before closing out a 7-5 6-2 with an unreturnable shot deep in the American's territory.
Third seed Pegula, runner-up in 2024, started Thursday's match with a poised performance but eventually succumbed to the Belarusian's power, as a bevy of costly mistakes in the second set undermined her best efforts.
"I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly," said Sabalenka, who will feature in the title match for a fourth straight year, playing either 2023 champion Coco Gauff or second seed Elena Rybakina
An icy-veined Pegula got off to a near-pristine start, saving an early break point with a fine forehand winner, as Sabalenka struggled to rein in her frustrations, whacking her racket on the court after a double fault in the ninth game.
Jessica Pegula's bid for a maiden grand slam title continues | Photo: AP
The defending champion threw her instrument to the ground as Pegula held her serve in the 10th, but hit her stride as she broke her opponent from the baseline on set point.
She used her best weapon to her advantage again to go up 3-1 in the second set, firing off a forehand winner from the baseline on break point, as Pegula struggled to find her early polish before Sabalenka broke her again on match point.
"No complaints," said Sabalenka, who earned the respect of the partisan fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I'm super happy to pull out that kind of tennis."
