US Open Tennis 2026 Top Storylines to Watch in Women's Semifinals Bracket

The top-four seeded women all reached the US Open semifinal for the first time since 1975.

On Thursday, two-time reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka will take on top-ranked American Jessica Pegula in a rematch of the 2024 US Open final.

In the other semifinal, No. 2 Elena Rybakina will face No. 4 Coco Gauff.

Below, we've compiled all the key storylines to watch for ahead of Thursday's action.

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Pegula

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Aryna Sabalenka faced her toughest challenge yet, overcoming Linda Noskova in a thrilling three-set quarterfinal.

The world No. 1 now stands just two wins away from becoming only the third woman in the Open Era (since 1968) to capture three consecutive US Open titles.

However, Jessica Pegula hopes to end that streak—and claim some revenge.

Sabalenka has defeated Pegula in back-to-back US Opens, taking the dramatic 2024 final against the American and then beating her again in the 2025 semifinal.

Pegula enters this match riding the momentum of her own thrilling victory, having battled back from a slow start to overcome fellow American Emma Navarro.

She has put together an impressive tournament, finding her rhythm at the baseline and excelling with her first serve.

The question remains: does she have enough to upset Sabalenka?

For Pegula to advance, she'll need to limit early unforced errors and establish her first serve quickly.

There's no doubt Pegula can handle the physical demands of this match.

But with so much on the line for Sabalenka, expect her to elevate her game and reach her eighth straight hard court Grand Slam final, tying Monica Seles for the longest such streak by a woman in history.

Elena Rybakina vs. Coco Gauff

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Next Monday, Elena Rybakina is set to debut as the new world No. 1 on the WTA Tour.

But she most certainly has her eyes set on winning the US Open.

The two-time major champion is seeking to become the sixth woman since 1988 to win both hardcourt majors in the same year.

Rybakina has dominated all tournament long, dropping just one set en route to the semifinal.

The same can be said for Coco Gauff, however.

The 22-year-old American has won 11 consecutive matches, dating back to the Cincinnati Open, dropping just one set in total.

Gauff struggled in the opening set of her quarterfinal encounter before finding her best tennis late to advance past Mirra Andreeva.

Like their previous two encounters, this promises to be another thrilling battle.

Avoiding a slow start like she did against Andreeva will be the most crucial thing for Gauff.

Yes, Gauff is one of the best returners on tour. But, against one of the best servers and baseline players in Rybakina, it'll be more important than ever to find her consistent game early, because service breaks will only come so often.

If she can make the match a physical battle and force Rybakina into extended rallies, this is her golden opportunity to reach the final.