Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina reach US Open final with semi-final wins

Sabalenka extends hard-court streak

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her fourth consecutive US Open final on Thursday by defeating third-seeded American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The contest lasted one hour and 20 minutes, extending Sabalenka's match-winning streak in New York to 19 matches. Pegula had defeated Sabalenka in June on grass in Berlin, but could not repeat the result in New York. Sabalenka registered 29 winners and seven aces, breaking Pegula at 6-5 in the first set and again in the fourth game of the second set with a 91 mph return.

Pegula assessed the level of play following the semi-final defeat.

She played insane. She played a super-high level.

Sabalenka reached the semi-finals after defeating Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals. The victory against Pegula marked Sabalenka's eighth consecutive hard-court Grand Slam final, extending an Open Era record sequence that began at the 2023 Australian Open. Sabalenka aims to win her third consecutive US Open title on Saturday, which would equal Serena Williams' streak from 2012 to 2014.

Rybakina rallies past Gauff

Second seed Elena Rybakina came from a set down to defeat fourth seed and 2023 champion Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the evening session. Gauff took the opening set by breaking serve for a 4-2 lead in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium spectators, including former First Lady Michelle Obama. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, recovered in the second set as Gauff committed unforced errors on serve and forehand.

Rybakina commented on the crowd dynamics as the match progressed into the final set.

In the beginning I felt like it was a very nice atmosphere, and only in the end when I was up in the third set crowd really supported a lot Coco. But I tried to focus on myself and tried to not listen.

In the decider, Rybakina broke to lead 5-3 before Gauff saved a match point and broke back with a running backhand. Rybakina then earned two match points on Gauff's serve, converting the first when Gauff hit an overhead shot past the baseline. Gauff noted after the match that the elimination was painful despite her run, having entered the tournament aiming for a second title.

Number one ranking and final preview

Prior to this run, the 27-year-old Kazakh player had never advanced beyond the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. By reaching the final, Rybakina will take over the world number one ranking from Sabalenka when the updated WTA standings are published on Monday. The semi-final round brought together the top four tournament seeds for the first time at the US Open since 1975.

Sabalenka had not reached a final since completing the Sunshine Double in March, but expressed confidence ahead of the decider.

I was super desperate. I lost a tough match on grass against Jess, and I wasn't really performing well in the middle part of the season. So it kind of like feels for me, talking about Grand Slams, like a last push of the season. I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course, I want to go all the way.

Saturday's championship match is a rematch of the 2023 Australian Open final, where Sabalenka defeated Rybakina to win the first of her four Grand Slam titles.