NEW YORK -- The women's semifinals at the 2026 US Open will feature the tournament's top four seeds competing for a spot in the final on Thursday. Defending champion and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka will face No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula, while new World No. 1 Elena Rybakina will take on No. 4 seed Coco Gauff for the second time in three tournaments.

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This year marks the second occasion in the Open Era that the top four women's seeds have reached the US Open semifinals, the first being in 1975. It is also the first time this has happened at any Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2009.

In the matchup between Sabalenka and Pegula, Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 9-4. Their most recent encounter saw Pegula triumph in the semifinals of 2026 Berlin. Sabalenka, seeking her third consecutive US Open title, has regained form after a challenging season and is focused on the task at hand. She emphasized the importance of blocking out distractions related to her ranking and past performances, stating, "I'm just super happy that I put myself in the position where I have chance to go for three-peat."

Pegula, meanwhile, is experiencing a stellar summer, having reached her third consecutive US Open semifinal. Though she has faced challenges, including a three-set match against Leylah Fernandez, she has accumulated significant momentum. Pegula noted the importance of their past encounters and is determined to capitalize on her strengths against Sabalenka.

Rybakina and Gauff are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head record, with Rybakina winning their most recent match in Toronto. Rybakina, now the World No. 1, secured her ranking by defeating Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals. Despite concerns about an injury that almost kept her from participating, she has been dominant, winning all matches except one in straight sets. Rybakina said she is focusing on the upcoming match while acknowledging her new status in the rankings.

Gauff, fresh off a title win in Cincinnati, has demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, notably saving two match points in a critical match against Andreeva. With her strong performance and the backing of the home crowd, Gauff aims to reach her second major final, recognizing the significance of her recent form.