Pegula, Sabalenka Advance In Three Sets To Set Up Third Straight U.S. Open Showdown

American Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will meet at the U.S. Open for a third consecutive year after each won their respective quarterfinals in three sets on Tuesday. 

Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion in New York, played the first quarterfinal of the day as she took on recent Wimbledon champion and sixth-seed Linda Noskova. Sabalenka outlasted Noskova in a third-set tiebreaker to advance to her sixth straight U.S. Open semifinal. 

“I honestly thought the match [was] over, down in that third set, and I think that helped me feel loose, to go after my shots,” said Sabalenka, who trailed 2-4 in the deciding third set. “These kinds of matches definitely boost my confidence, my energy and my motivation. [I’m] super happy to get this win, it was such a tough match, such a tough battle. It shows I’m ready to fight.”

Sabalenka is seeking a three-peat, and will meet the player she defeated to win the first of her two U.S. Open titles in Pegula. 

“Jessica [is a] really challenging player to play against. I can say that she really improved a lot in last couple of years, improved her game, really putting me under so much pressure,” said Sabalenka. “But 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. So playing against her, it’s going to be a really high-intensity level of tennis.”

Pegula opened up the night session on Ashe against fellow American Emma Navarro. After falling behind a break in the deciding third set, Pegula was able to break back, and then found her serve. She earned the break for a 4-2 lead, and held serve in each of her next two service games to complete the 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. 

“I felt like [I] had to change going into the second set if I wanted a chance to get back into the match, and a chance to put myself in a winning position,” said Pegula. “So I’m glad that I was able to acknowledge that and change that, and do it much better in the next couple of sets.”

Pegula now hopes that the third time is the charm. Sabalenka defeated Pegula in the U.S. Open final two years ago, and then in the semifinals in 2025. Pegula has beaten Sabalenka two of the last three times they met including earlier this year in Berlin.

“I think it’s fun to look at the rivalry we’ve had. She’s gotten me here the last couple of years. I have been able to beat her a few times, maybe on a smaller stage, so I think that’s going to be kind of a hurdle for me to get over,” Pegula said. “But at the same time, I think it’s fun. We’ve challenged each other. I know that she’s definitely pushed me to become a better player, so I always respect and appreciate that aspect of our rivalry.”