Sabalenka defeats Pegula to reach US Open women's final

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the US Open women's final after a 7-5, 6-2 victory over third-ranked Jessica Pegula in Thursday's semifinal in New York. The first set was closely contested, but Sabalenka increased her intensity late, exploiting Pegula's second serve and carrying the momentum into the second set, where she secured a decisive lead.

"No complaints. I’m just super happy that I was able to pull out such tennis," Sabalenka said after the match.

Sabalenka hit 29 winners compared with Pegula's 12, marking a clear superiority in their third meeting at the tournament. She will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina and No. 4 seed Coco Gauff on Saturday, with a victory giving her a chance to become the first woman since Serena Williams (2012-14) to win three consecutive US Open titles.

"I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly," Sabalenka added.

Rybakina is set to overtake Sabalenka in the WTA rankings next week, a change Sabalenka said she would accept.