AI-generated summary
Aryna Sabalenka is the current world number one in women's tennis and is defending her title at the US Open. She has reached the finals the last two years, losing to Jessica Pegula each time.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals of the US Open for the sixth time in a row. The world number one from Belarus narrowly defeated the Czech Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7:6 (7:1), 3:6, 7:6 (10:7). This gives Sabalenka the chance to win her third US Open title in a row. Serena Williams last achieved this from 2012 to 2014.
»What a fight! I'm speechless, I've completely pushed myself to my limit. I thought the game was over," Sabalenka said after the game. In the third set, the favorite was already behind with a break 2:4, but fought her way back into the match. She converted the match point in the tie-break with a cracking ace on her second serve.
In order to remain number one in the world rankings after the Grand Slam tournament in New York, Sabalenka must also win the final of the US Open after the semi-finals. She would also have to hope that Kazakh Jelena Rybakina would be eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Pegula failed several times because of Sabalenka
In the semifinals, Sabalenka will face American tennis player Jessica Pegula. The world number three had recently failed twice on the way to the title in Flushing Meadows because of Sabalenka. In 2024 she lost 5:7, 5:7 in her only major final to date, and in 2025 she ended in the semifinals after three sets.
Pegula had previously fought hard against Emma Navarro 3:6, 6:4, 6:3 in New York. It was only in the final phase that the 32-year-old dominated a duel marked by many mistakes on both sides. »It was hard today, I really had to fight. But this win means everything to me,” Pegula said after the end of her game. After the Australian Open, she is among the last four players in a Grand Slam tournament for the second time in 2026.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Sabalenka will win the semi-final against Pegula and advance to the final.
Likely · Within days
Sabalenka will win the US Open title if she reaches the final.
Possible · Within days
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