Sabalenka rolls past Pegula, targets three-peat in US Open final

On Thursday night in New York, Aryna Sabalenka once again proved why she is the No.1 seed and defending champion at the US Open. In a semifinal lasting 1 hour and 22 minutes, the Belarusian defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to reach the final and move one step closer to a historic three-peat – a feat not achieved since Serena Williams from 2026 to 2026. The match started with a tight contest. Pegula, an American noted for her exceptional return game, stayed competitive in the first set. She even had a break opportunity early on but failed to convert. Sabalenka, with her pure power from the forehand and first serve, gradually found the solution. The key came from a clear tactic: she aggressively attacked Pegula's second serve, turning short balls into early finishing opportunities. It was a well-prepared plan from her coaching staff and it paid off at the right moment. Pegula held steady until 5-5, but in the 11th game, Sabalenka increased the pressure. She secured the crucial break then served out the first set 7-5. The momentum had shifted decisively to the world No.1. The second set lasted only 35 minutes and was what experts described as 'the most impressive stretch of tennis Sabalenka has played in the tournament'. She accelerated from the start, constantly hitting deep balls to the baseline, leaving Pegula no chance to build attacks. Sabalenka's first-serve win percentage was extremely high, and her forehands tore through Pegula's defence like rockets. Pegula managed just two games before Sabalenka sealed the set 6-2, finishing with a bright smile. With this victory, Sabalenka reaches the US Open final for the third consecutive year and is aiming for her third straight title – a rarity even by Grand Slam standards. The last three-peat in women's singles at the US Open belongs to Serena Williams (2026-2026). Before that, Chris Evert achieved it from 2026 to 2026. Sabalenka now stands at the threshold of joining the legends. However, the path to glory is not easy. Her opponent in Saturday's final will be either Elena Rybakina (No.2 seed) or Coco Gauff (No.4 seed). Both possess dangerous weapons. Rybakina has a powerful serve and flat groundstrokes, capable of beating anyone on her day. Gauff, the 20-year-old American home favourite, is one of the best defenders on tour, with remarkable speed and the ability to transition defence into attack. If Gauff reaches the final, the match will carry both sporting and commercial weight – the defending champion versus the young American star. Tactically, Sabalenka needs to maintain a high first-serve percentage (against Pegula it peaked above 70%) and control unforced errors, a long-standing vulnerability for her power game. She must also continue to attack opponents' second serves, a tactic that worked well against Pegula. Against Rybakina, the match will be about pace and power; against Gauff, Sabalenka will need patience and the ability to finish points within a few shots. But what Sabalenka showed in the semifinal reveals she is at peak form and focus. She didn't just win – she won with a smart game plan, demonstrating maturity and tactical awareness. Comparisons to Serena Williams are not hyperbole; they are a realistic yardstick for Sabalenka's winning machine. Regardless of the final outcome – a win would be historic three-peat; a loss would be merely a minor setback in a career on the rise – Sabalenka has once again confirmed her status as the leading figure of the current WTA generation. Saturday's final promises to be a showcase of women's tennis at its highest level, with all eyes on Arthur Ashe.