The 2026 U.S. Open women’s singles semifinals are set, and they feature a remarkable lineup: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff vs. Elena Rybakina. For the first time since 2009 at a Grand Slam, the top four seeds have all reached the semifinals.
Both semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Pegula
No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 3 Jessica Pegula
This is becoming one of the defining rivalries of the modern U.S. Open. Sabalenka has eliminated Pegula at the tournament in each of the past two years, including the 2025 semifinal, and leads their overall head-to-head 9-4.
Pegula, however, has won two of their last three meetings, giving the American plenty of reason to believe she can finally turn the tables in New York.
Sabalenka is chasing a historic third consecutive U.S. Open championship. She survived Linda Noskova in a dramatic quarterfinal, winning 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(10-7), and has now reached the U.S. Open semifinals for a sixth straight year.
Pegula arrives after overcoming Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. She has reached five finals this season and is still searching for her first Grand Slam championship.
Key battle: Sabalenka’s explosive power against Pegula’s consistency, court positioning and ability to extend rallies.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets
Coco Gauff vs. Elena Rybakina
No. 4 Coco Gauff vs. No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
The second semifinal could be even more unpredictable.
Gauff produced one of the tournament’s biggest comebacks in the quarterfinals, recovering from a set down and saving two match points before defeating Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2.
The 2023 champion will now have the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd firmly behind her.
Standing across the net will be Rybakina, who defeated Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The victory also guaranteed Rybakina the world No. 1 ranking, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week run at the top. She becomes the first Kazakh player to reach No. 1.
Rybakina also defeated Gauff in the Canadian Open semifinals last month, but their career head-to-head is tied 1-1, making this a particularly intriguing matchup.
Key battle: Gauff’s defensive skills and athleticism against Rybakina’s huge serve and first-strike tennis.
Prediction: Rybakina in three sets, although Gauff’s home-court advantage makes this extremely difficult to call.
Three Keys to the Semifinals
The serve: Sabalenka and Rybakina both possess elite power, while Pegula and Gauff will need to prevent cheap points.
Handling pressure: With a place in the U.S. Open final at stake, the players who manage the biggest moments will have the advantage.
Physical endurance: Both matchups have the potential to go deep, making movement and recovery crucial.
Final Predictions
Sabalenka and Rybakina are my picks to reach Saturday’s final.
That would create a blockbuster championship matchup between two of the game’s biggest power players—and a chance for Sabalenka to defend her title against the newly crowned world No. 1.
