Gauff brings momentum to US Open
Cydney Henderson talks Coco Gauff at the US Open as she rides a winning streak and continued improvement across her game.
Sports Seriously
NEW YORK – The top two players in the world will battle it out in the US Open women’s final as second seeded Elena Rybakina beat Coco Gauff, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals.
Rybakina’s victory was the conclusion of a semifinal night that saw the top four seeds in the tournament battle it out, something that hasn’t been seen since Wimbledon in 2009.
Rybakina will face top-seed Aryna Sabalenka, who Rybakina snatched the No. 1 ranking from after a quarterfinal victory over Qinwen Zheng on Sept. 12. Rybakina will keep the ranking no matter the outcome of the final.
“It’s going to be a really … tough match. She’s a big server. She really improved over the years on the baseline game, so it’s going to be physically and mentally tough match,” said Sabalenka, who has only lost one set in the tournament. “I’m ready for the fight. I’m ready to do everything to get the win, so I’m excited for that match.”
Rybakina, the 2026 Australian Open champion, continued her dominance of players from the U.S., and now has 10 straight victories over Americans, including a win over wild card Thea Frodin in the first round. She snapped Gauff’s 11-match winning streak.
Gauff dictated the game in the first set, looking like a completely different player than her semifinal match against Mirra Andreeva, where her serve was unreliable and her forehand at times was off the mark, but it was still enough to beat the French Open champion.
Against Rybakina, Gauff cut down on the unforced errors (she had 42 against Andreeva), committing 32, some at inopportune times and dominating on her second serves in the first set.
But the tide turned in the second set, where Rybakina let Gauff’s mistakes get her back in the game. After taking a 4-1 lead, Gauff rattled off three straight games before, the second seed broke her serve, relying on a much-improved service game, to send the match to a deciding set.
Gauff’s forehand then went out as she was broken in the eighth game but Rybakina’s service game for the match failed and Gauff ripped back momentum to try to square the match. Only, she faltered and was broken again when her forehand slam attempt when wide out of bounds, ending the 2-hour, 9-minute match.
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jessica Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka is step closer to a rare three-peat at the US Open, reaching her fourth straight final in beating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The top-seeded Sabalenka is attempting to win a third straight championship at Flushing Meadows, something that hasn’t be done since Serena Williams in 2014.
Sabalenka, who will lose her No. 1 ranking despite the win, will play No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina in the final.
Sabalenka has struggled at times throughout the tournament and Thursday night was no exception. She used a powerful serve to score seven aces, but a forceful forehand caused some errors, leading to Sabalenka dropping her racket in frustration in one instance, and waving off her coaching team in another.
The first set was a battle of wills, as neither player yielded a single break point opportunity through the first eight games, and there was only one break point won the entire first set.
But the 28-year-old, four-time Grand Slam champion poured it on in the second set, breaking Pegula in the fourth game with a thunderous forehand winner down the baseline.
Sabalenka then ended the 1 hour and 20 minute match by breaking Pegula again, when the Buffalo native’s forehand fell weakly into the net.
Pegula, the No. 3 seed, has now lost in each of her last four matches against Sabalenka at the US Open, including the 2024 final, and last year’s semifinals.
USA TODAY Sports provided live scores, key moments, highlights and results from both women’s semifinals:
| Completed | |||
| Coco Gauff | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Elena Rybakina | 3 | 6 | 6 |
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| Completed | ||
| Aryna Sabalenka | 7 | 6 |
| Jessica Pegula | 5 | 2 |
Elena Rybakina breaks Coco Gauff to win the match.
Coco Gauff broke Elena Rybakina right back to stay alive. She’s now on serve, trailing 4-5.
Elena Rybakina broke Coco Gauff’s serve to improve to 5-3 in the third set.
Coco Gauff found herself in a 0-30 hole on serve after committing two unforced errors on a volley and a backhand. Gauff slammed down a winner to come within 15-30 of Rybakina and an ace brought it to 30-30. Another ace gave her a 40-30 lead, but she found herself facing a break point after more errors. Rybakina had two break chances and couldn’t convert. Gauff held serve to level the set, 3-3.
As Aryna Sabalenka awaits her opponent, she offered thoughts on both Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina.
“If it’s Elena (Rybakina), it’s going to be a really … tough match. She’s a big server. She really improved over the years on the baseline game, so it’s going to be physically and mentally tough match,” Sabalenka said. “But, as I said, I’m ready for the fight. I’m ready to do everything to get the win, so I’m excited for that match.”
Sabalenka added, “If it’s going to be Coco (Gauff), I need my revenge for the US Open − I don’t remember when, which year it was, but I need my revenge. She’s a challenging player as well. She’s moving well. She’s serving much better. She really makes you work for every point.”
Coco Gauff looked like she was going to cruise to a service hold with a 40-15 lead over Elena Rybakina, but Rybakina got the score to a deuce. Gauff was able to withstand the choppy waters and hold serve to level the set 1-1.
A string of forehand errors and a double-fault from Coco Gauff gave Elena Rybakina a break point, which she converted to take the second set, 6-4. The last spot in the US Open finals will come down to a decisive third set.
Coco Gauff clawed her way back into the second set to level it 4-4, but Gauff committed some unforced errors during Elena Rybakina’s service game. As a result, Rybakina retook the lead, 5-4, and Gauff must now hold serve to stay in the second set.
Coco Gauff earned two break chances against Elena Rybakina as the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium went wild. Gauff wasn’t able to convert the first break point, missing a drop shot slightly right. But she was able to capitalize on her second break point to improve to 4-3 in the second set.
Don’t count Coco Gauff out of the second set just yet. The American held serve to stop Rybakina’s three-game run, bringing the score to 4-2.
Elena Rybakina has her first break of the night. She went up 3-1 in the second set and easily held her own serve to consolidate the break. Rybakina leads 4-1 and is in firm control of the second set.
Elena Rybakina is raising her level. Rybakina took a 30-0 lead during Coco Gauff’s service game, closing in on her first break point of the match. But Gauff averted trouble and reasserted control over her service game to level the set 1-1.
What a difference a day makes. One day after serving and forehand woes nearly dismantled Gauff’s US Open title bid, the American came out red-hot and is in the driver’s seat against Rybakina. Gauff easily held serve to take the first set, 6-3.
Gauff had four aces in the first set and never faced a break point. Gauff won 73% of the first serves and 85% of the second serves. Gauff is 18-0 when winning the first set at the US Open.
Coco Gauff consolidated the break by holding serve in convincing fashion. Gauff even delivered an 123 mph ace, the fastest of the day, according to the ESPN broadcast. Gauff has a 5-2 lead in the first set and Rybakina is now serving to stay in the set.
Gauff has the first break of the match to take a 4-2 lead over Rybakina.
Coco Gauff’s third service game was a roller coaster. She hit a double-fault to bring the score back to deuce, but she responded with her third ace of the match to give her an advantage. She used another ace to hold the set to improve to 3-2 in the first set.
Coco Gauff had an early opportunity to break Elena Rybakina, but a forehead error squandered her chances. Rybakina went on to save the break point to level the set 1-1.
We’re off and running at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Coco Gauff opened on serve and held to take a 1-0 lead in the first set.
NEW YORK — Sabalenka defeated Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the US Open final. Sabalenka, who has won 19 matches in a row in New York, is the first woman to reach four straight US Open finals since Serena Williams (2011-14).
Sabalenka has had struggles at times throughout the tournament, and Thursday night was no exception. She used a powerful serve to score seven aces, but a forceful forehand caused some errors, leading to Sabalenka dropping her racket in frustration in one instance and waving off her coaching team in another.
The first set was a battle of wills, as neither player yielded a single break point opportunity through the first eight games, and there was only one break point won in the entire first set.
But the 28-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion poured it on in the second set, breaking Pegula in the fourth game with a thunderous forehand winner down the baseline. Sabalenka finished with 29 winners and dominated Pegula’s second serve, and arguably the final stretch of the match was her best of the tournament, showing why her dominance on the hard court will be tough to deal with, no matter who she opposes in the final.
Sabalenka then ended the 1-hour and 20-minute match by breaking Pegula again, when the Buffalo native’s forehand fell weakly into the net.
Jessica Pegula doesn’t think “there was much I could do today” following her loss to Aryna Sabalenka.
“I think that’s definitely — you can ask her — probably the best match she’s played this year. I mean, I thought her level was insanely high,” Pegula said. “Maybe she felt a little bit off at the beginning, but I feel like we were both playing well, serving well. Then, yeah, I don’t know who pissed her off today, but she — hopefully it wasn’t me totally, but might have been. I don’t know. She played insane. She played a super-high level.”
Pegula must hold serve to extend the match as she trails 2-5 in the second set.
Sabalenka held serve to improve to 5-2 in the second set. She’s one game away from making her fourth consecutive US Open finals appearance.
Aryna Sabalenka has been feasting on Jesica Pegula’s second serve and the American quickly found herself in trouble early in the second set. Pegula fought off three break points, but Sabalenka converted on the fourth break point with a 91 mph return of Pegula’s serve. Sabalenka has a 3-1 lead in the second set.
Mark Knowles, one of Jessica Pegula’s coaches, said the American played “a terrific set” to open the semifinal and came up just short.
“(That’s) probably the best set of tennis that Aryna’s played all year, but you got to expect that, right? She’s going for a three-peat,” Knowles said. “(Sabalenka’s) the champ and you got to play your best, maybe a little bit of change of pace. I mean, it’s hard because Jess (Pegula) is hitting the ball so well, but obviously Aryna’s timing the ball as well, very well. So got to make subtle adjustments, maybe try to change the speed a little bit.”
Aryna Sabalenka is 32-3 when winning the first set at the US Open.
One break of serve was all Aryna Sabalenka needed to take the first set over Jessica Pegula in Thursday’s US Open women’s semifinal. Pegula had the opportunity to force a tiebreaker, but Sabalenka took a 40-0 lead to set up triple set point. Pegula saved one set point, but Sabalenka was able to convert on the second break point with a deep rally that touched the baseline. The first set took 43 minutes.
Aryna Sabalenka is letting her emotions show early. After hitting an unforced error into the net, Sablenka let go of her racket in frustration as Pegula leveled the set 5-5.
Aryna Sabalenka double-faulted at 40-40, giving Jessica Pegula her first break point of the night. Sabalenka staved off the break point with a brilliant winner down the line and went on to hold serve on an ace. Sabalenka has a 5-4 lead over Pegula in the first set. Both players have been solid on serve and haven’t dropped a service game so far.
Pegula was facing a break point early in the first set, but she fought it off to hold serve and level the set 2-2.
The star-studded crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium includes former First Lady Michelle Obama. She received a thunderous applause from the crowd when shown on the Jumbotron.
We’re off and running at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Aryna Sabalenka opened on serve and she’s clicking early. She easily held serve to take a 1-0 lead in the first set.
How to watch US Open women’s semifinals
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
- Time: First match starts at 7 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming : ESPN Unlimited, Fubo
Stream the 2026 US Open on Fubo
US Open women’s semifinal schedule Thursday
Times are subject to change.
- No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 3 Jessica Pegula, 7 p.m. ET
- No. 2 Elena Rybakina vs. No. 4 Coco Gauff, 8:30 p.m. ET
It’s 83 degrees at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, the perfect evening to have the roof open.
Check out our experts’ complete predictions.
- Scooby Axson: Jessica Pegula over Aryna Sabalenka; Elena Rybakina over Coco Gauff
- Danielle Lerner: Jessica Pegula over Aryna Sabalenka; Coco Gauff over Elena Rybakina
- Cydney Henderson: Aryna Sabalenka over Jessica Pegula; Elena Rybakina over Coco Gauff
- Aryna Sabalenka: 7 hours, 27 minutes
- Jessica Pegula: 8 hours, 16 minutes
Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will earn nearly $5.5 million for winning the US Open, up from $5 million in 2025. The runner-up will pocket $2.8 million.
Elena Rybakina will be the new World No. 1 player in the WTA rankings at the end of the US Open, no matter what happens. Rybakina will reach the highest ranking of her career after reaching the semifinal round, snapping Aryna Sabalenka’s 99-week streak at the top.
“Anything is possible when you believe. Proud to represent Kazakhstan and make history as the country’s first world number 1,” Rybakina wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.
For Rybakina, however, it’s business as usual. Although she said it “means a lot” to be World No. 1, she admitted that she doesn’t think about her ranking often. “It is a great achievement but I feel like you will appreciate and think about it even more when you finish your career. Right now you need to keep on going,” she added.
American tennis star Jessica Pegula has dreamed about what it would be like to win the first Grand Slam of her career. She said achieving that milestone at the US Open, her favorite of the four slams, would be even sweeter.
“My goal is to win the tournament,” Pegula told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the 2026 US Open. “It is my favorite place to play just purely because I am an American and I’m from New York State, and I do think people get behind me and encourage me a lot more than maybe even some other Americans.”
Pegula has experienced both triumph and heartbreak in Queens, New York. She advanced to the first and only Grand Slam final of her career at the 2024 US Open, but ultimately lost to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. “I do feel like it adds a little bit more pressure,” Pegula added. Read Cydney Henderson’s full story here.
Jessica Pegula explains what it would mean to win her first Grand Slam
Pro tennis player, Jessica Pegula, explains why winning the US Open would be top of her wish list of Grand Slams.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen took a moment during a press conference to shout out Jessica Pegula’s US Open semifinal run. Pegula’s parents Terry and Kim Pegula own the Buffalo Bills.
“We’ll be cheering her on,” Allen said on Wednesday. “I’m excited to watch her.”
Coco Gauff marveled at the US Open men’s semifinal matchup between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, an All-American showdown on Friday, Sept. 11, that’ll feature two Black men. Arthur Ashe was the first and only Black American man to win the US Open singles title in 1968.
“I never thought I would be able to have the chance to see an all-Black semifinal between the guys in my lifetime,” Gauff said Wednesday. “And to have also me in the semis, I think it’s really cool. And obviously I have so much respect for both Ben (Shelton) and Frances (Tiafoe), so I’m just rooting for a good match and hopefully whoever wins can bring it home.”
Betting odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Sept. 10 at 2:30 p.m. ET
- Aryna Sabalenka -190; Jessica Pegula +154
- Coco Gauff -105; Elena Rybakina -118
Aryna Sabalenka leads the all-time series against Jessica Pegula, 9-4, with a 6-3 advantage on hard court. Pegula won their last matchup, which came in three sets at the Berlin Open in June. Thursday’s match will mark Sabalenka’s sixth straight US Open semifinal appearance. Sabalenka is 6-2 so far this season against Top 10 opponents this year, while Pegula has a 7-6 record vs. Top 10 players.
Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina have each won one match against each other. Rybakina was victorious in their most recent clash, beating Gauff in three sets in the Toronto semifinals in August.
The US Open women’s singles draw is down to its final four. And a formidable one at that.
For the first time since 2009, the top four seeds in a women’s Grand Slam tournament will all be in the semifinals. That year, No. 1 Dinara Safina, No. 2 Serena Williams, No. 3 Venus WIlliams and No. 4 Elena Dementieva went to the final four at Wimbledon, with Serena prevailing over Venus.
Fast forward 17 years later to New York, where top-seeded defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will open semifinal day against Jessica Pegula, while 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff faces Elena Rybakina in the second match. By the end of Thursday, the championship matchup will be set.
Times are subject to change.
- No. 1 Alexander Zverev vs. Karen Khachanov, 3 p.m. ET
- No. 8 Ben Shelton vs. No. 11 Frances Tiafoe, 7 p.m. ET
Check out our expert’s complete predictions.
- Scooby Axson: Ben Shelton over Frances Tiafoe; Alexander Zverev over Karen Khachanov
- Danielle Lerner: Ben Shelton over Frances Tiafoe; Alexander Zverev over Karen Khachanov
- Cydney Henderson: Ben Shelton over Frances Tiafoe; Alexander Zverev over Karen Khachanov
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