US Open Semifinals Set for Historic Line-Up
US Open semifinals The US Open women’s singles draw has produced a historic semi-final line-up, with the top four seeds reaching the last four for the first time at the tournament since 1975.
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff all survived three-set matches to reach the US Open semifinals, creating one of the strongest final-four line-ups in decades.
It is also the first time since Wimbledon in 2009 that the four highest-ranked players have all reached the women’s semi-finals at a Grand Slam.
Former British number one Annabel Croft described the development as a major boost for the tournament.
“How amazing – it doesn’t get much better than that does it?” Croft told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It has felt fantastic the whole tournament – I just feel like I’ve been more enthused about looking forward to the match-ups this Grand Slam than any I can remember.”
Women’s Tennis Produces Major Match-Ups US Open semifinals
The return of the leading seeds to the latter stages comes after several years of unpredictability in women’s tennis.
Since the beginning of 2020, 13 different women have won Grand Slam singles titles, compared with seven different champions in the men’s game.
Croft believes the presence of several established stars has created greater anticipation around the tournament.
“I just feel like there’s lots of really big names now, big personalities going up against each other and it’s really exciting,” she said.
“We’ve been blessed with the amount of intriguing matches we’ve had. You’re seeing these warriors out on court.”
Top seed and two-time defending champion Sabalenka will meet American fourth seed Pegula in the first semi-final, while Rybakina will face Gauff in the second.
Sabalenka and Pegula Renew Rivalry US Open semifinals
Sabalenka is attempting to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win three consecutive US Open titles.
Standing in her way is Pegula, the only remaining player in the women’s draw yet to win a Grand Slam title.
The two Americans and Sabalenka have developed a familiar rivalry, having met 13 times on the WTA Tour. Their recent meetings at the US Open have been particularly significant.
Sabalenka defeated Pegula in the 2024 final before coming from behind to beat her in last year’s semi-final.
Pegula, who has defeated Sabalenka four times on the WTA Tour, believes overcoming the Belarusian at a Grand Slam remains an important challenge.
“It’s fun to look at it like a rivalry. I think that’s what motivates me,” Pegula said.
“I know that she’s definitely pushed me to become a better player, so I always respect and appreciate that aspect of our rivalry.”
Sabalenka is also looking forward to another difficult contest against Pegula.
“I’m loving playing against her because it’s a battle, because it’s a fight, and I love being under pressure and going through tough challenges,” she said.
Pegula arrives in New York having reached the finals in both Washington and Cincinnati, giving her additional confidence heading into the semi-final.
“I know that she hasn’t maybe had the best results this summer, but I know that she has a lot of confidence playing here at this tournament, and she’s going for a three-peat,” Pegula said.
Rybakina Set to Become World Number One
Rybakina’s run to the semi-finals will also have a major impact on the WTA rankings.
The second seed will replace Sabalenka as world number one on Monday, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the rankings.
However, Rybakina has played down the significance of reaching the number-one position, describing it as “just a number” while maintaining that her priority is winning another Grand Slam title.
Tennis correspondent Russell Fuller said Rybakina will want to complete what has already been an outstanding period by lifting the trophy.
“It’s never quite the same if you become world number one having lost a Grand Slam final or semi-final just beforehand, so she will be trying to cap off an absolutely perfect couple of weeks by winning the title,” Fuller said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Gauff Draws Home Support Against Rybakina
Gauff will have the backing of the New York crowd when she faces Rybakina on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 22-year-old American won the US Open in 2023 but exited in the fourth round in each of the following two years. She believes she has approached this year’s tournament with a different mentality.
“Sometimes you’re just so focused on the now, now, now, because you want it now, and obviously you want to take advantage of your opportunities,” Gauff said.
“In the grand scheme of things, [I’m] definitely sitting here in a different mindset and perspective than I was last year.”
She added that seeing her own development over the past year had provided additional motivation.
“It inspires me a little bit more to keep working, as I see how much I have improved in a year.”
Gauff leads her head-to-head record against Rybakina 2-1, although the Australian Open champion won their most recent meeting by recovering from a set down in last month’s Canadian Open semi-final.
Gauff knows she will face a major serving and attacking threat in New York but is prepared for the challenge.
“I’m going to have some aces hit on me and some winners hit on me, but I’m going to keep fighting and give it my all. That’s all I can do,” she said.