Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to reach US Open final

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka reached her third consecutive US Open final on Thursday, 10 September, following a 7-5, 6-2 victory over American third seed Jessica Pegula at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 28-year-old Belarusian is now one win away from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to secure three straight titles at Flushing Meadows. Dominant performance at Arthur Ashe Sabalenka controlled the match with a powerful service game, recording seven aces and 29 winners. The first set remained competitive until the 12th game, when Sabalenka broke Pegula’s serve to take a 7-5 lead. The world number one maintained that momentum into the second set, breaking Pegula early to lead 3-1 before closing out the match with a forehand winner in the eighth game. The victory follows Sabalenka’s previous US Open title wins in 2024 and 2025, where she also defeated Pegula during those campaigns. Thursday’s result ended Pegula’s bid for a maiden Grand Slam title and confirmed Sabalenka’s status as the heavy favorite heading into the championship match. History at stake in Saturday final Sabalenka is attempting to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open trophies. This pursuit of a historic "three-peat" has been the primary narrative of the 2026 tournament, with Sabalenka producing her most efficient tennis of the fortnight during the semi-final stage. The final, scheduled for Saturday, 12 September, will see Sabalenka face…