The US Open 2026 women’s singles semifinals are taking shape, with Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka booking their places in the last four after thrilling quarterfinal battles. Pegula came from a set down to beat Emma Navarro in an all-American clash, while defending champion Sabalenka survived a three-set thriller against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. The two now meet in a blockbuster semifinal, in what would be a rematch of US Open 2024 final.
Jessica Pegula Beats Emma Navarro
The 32-year-old overcame a slow start and a scrappy contest to book a rematch with two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Pegula has now beaten Navarro in their last five meetings, including their recent clash at the Cincinnati Open.
The quarterfinal started more than an hour behind schedule following Frances Tiafoe’s marathon win over Alex Michelsen, and neither player immediately found her rhythm once they finally took the court.
Errors dominated the opening set, with both players struggling to produce sustained momentum. Pegula and Navarro exchanged early breaks and each committed five double faults, but an additional break allowed Navarro to edge ahead and take the first set 6-3.
Jessica Pegula has booked a third-straight trip to the US Open semifinals! pic.twitter.com/bpvhZnCpyg
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2026
Pegula responded in the second set, gradually finding greater control in the longer rallies. The American still had to navigate a number of loose points, but a fine forehand winner at the end of a lengthy exchange helped her level the match at one set apiece with a 6-4 second set.
With the momentum shifting, Pegula took control of the decider. She earned an extra break and held her advantage through the closing stages before sealing a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Her reward is another meeting with Sabalenka, who had already secured her place in the last four with a dramatic victory over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
Aryna Sabalenka Beats Linda Noskova
The world No. 1 survived her toughest test of the tournament, beating the Czech sixth seed 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(10-7) in a gripping quarterfinal.
Noskova fired 18 aces and saved seven of nine break points, while Sabalenka was forced to recover after falling behind by a break in the deciding set. The defending champion eventually regained her composure and dominated the deciding tiebreak before closing out the contest with an ace.
“What a battle. What an incredible player she is. I’m speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit this match,” Sabalenka said.
The semifinal will revive memories of the 2024 US Open final, when Sabalenka defeated Pegula to claim the title. Pegula, however, comes into the rematch having won their most recent meeting in Cincinnati.
Sabalenka is chasing a third consecutive US Open crown, a feat that would put her alongside Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women in the Open Era to win three straight titles at Flushing Meadows.
(With inputs from Reuters)
