The stage is set for Thursday's US Open women's semi-finals, where the tournament's top four seeds will compete for places in the final. Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, meets American Jessica Pegula in the opening match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, followed by Coco Gauff, the 2023 winner, against Elena Rybakina, who has just claimed the world No. 1 ranking.
This marks a historic moment in the tournament's history. According to coverage of the quarterfinals, the presence of all four top seeds in the semi-finals represents the first time this has occurred at the US Open since 1975, and the first time at any Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2009.
How has Sabalenka reached the semi-finals?
Sabalenka's path to this stage has been marked by inconsistency following her spring success. After capturing the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami, the top-seeded player struggled through the European clay and grass seasons, exiting at the quarter-finals of Roland Garros and the fourth round at Wimbledon. Her summer hardcourt campaign proved equally challenging, with early exits at both Toronto and Cincinnati. She has since relinquished the world No. 1 ranking she held for 99 consecutive weeks. In her most recent match, Sabalenka faced a stern test against Linda Noskova, eventually prevailing through a dramatic final-set comeback.
What is Pegula's form heading into the semi-final?
The 32-year-old third seed advanced by defeating fellow American Emma Navarro in three sets, securing her third consecutive semi-final appearance at Flushing Meadows. Pegula and Sabalenka are well-acquainted opponents on this court, having met in the 2024 final and the 2025 semi-final, with Sabalenka winning both encounters. According to the WTA Tour, this will be their 14th career meeting. Pegula did secure a victory in their most recent encounter in June on grass at the Berlin semi-final, and she holds a competitive record against Sabalenka on outdoor hardcourts with a 5-3 advantage overall.
How did Rybakina claim the world No. 1 ranking?
Rybakina secured the top ranking following her quarter-final victory over Zheng Qinwen, dethroning Sabalenka from a position the American had held for 99 successive weeks. This achievement caps a remarkable year that began with the Australian Open title in January and includes two additional tournament victories. The semi-final represents Rybakina's strongest performance at the US Open to date; she had never previously advanced beyond the fourth round at this event.
What is Gauff's path to the semi-finals?
The fourth-seeded Gauff produced a stunning comeback to reach the last four, saving two match points in the second-set tie-break against Mirra Andreeva before dominating the third set. Her performance demonstrated resilience despite early struggles with her serve and forehand consistency. This marks her first appearance in the semi-finals at the US Open since 2023, when she captured her maiden Grand Slam title at this venue. According to recent analysis, Gauff and Rybakina have split their head-to-head meetings 1-1, with Gauff having lost their most recent encounter in Toronto.
When will the semi-finals take place?
The women's semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, September 10, with Sabalenka versus Pegula commencing at 7:00 p.m. ET on Arthur Ashe Stadium, followed by Gauff against Rybakina at 8:10 p.m. ET. The winners will advance to the final, scheduled for Saturday, September 12. Television coverage will begin with the opening semi-final and continue through both matches.
