The US Open 2026 women's semi-finals feature Aryna Sabalenka against Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff against Elena Rybakina, with the matches beginning at 7pm ET.
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Key facts
- Semi-finals begin at 7pm ET, per the Guardian.
- Aryna Sabalenka faces Jessica Pegula in one semi-final.
- Coco Gauff meets Elena Rybakina in the other semi-final.
- A potential Sabalenka v Gauff final would rematch the 2023 US Open final, the 2025 French Open final and this year's Miami Open final.
- Pegula and Gauff, former doubles partners who reached world No 1 together, are level at 5-5 in singles matchups.
The 2026 US Open women’s singles has reached the semi-final stage, with four players competing for two places in the final. According to the Guardian, the matches were scheduled to begin at 7pm ET.
In one semi-final, Aryna Sabalenka takes on Jessica Pegula. In the other, Coco Gauff faces Elena Rybakina, a matchup the Guardian described as the former No 1 against the new No 1, and arguably the tour’s two best hardcourt players.
Several storylines hang on the outcome. A Sabalenka v Gauff final would be a rematch of the 2023 US Open final, the 2025 French Open final and this year’s Miami Open final. The Guardian notes that Sabalenka has never beaten Gauff in a grand slam final.
Should Sabalenka meet Rybakina in the final, it would pit the former No 1 against the new No 1. The Guardian framed the pairing as a contest between two of the strongest hardcourt players on tour.
A potential Pegula v Gauff final would be an all-American battle between former doubles partners who climbed to the world No 1 doubles spot together and who are even at 5-5 in their singles matchups, according to the Guardian.
A Pegula v Rybakina final, meanwhile, was described by the Guardian as a chance for the American to finally break through at a grand slam, and a chance for the Kazakhstani to leave New York with more than just a new top ranking.
Why it matters
The semi-finals will determine the 2026 US Open women's champion and carry significant ranking and legacy implications for the players involved. With multiple compelling matchups possible in the final, the outcome shapes the narrative of the season's final grand slam.
Frequently asked questions
When do the US Open 2026 women's semi-finals start?
According to the Guardian, the semi-finals were scheduled to begin at 7pm ET.
Who is playing in the US Open 2026 women's semi-finals?
Aryna Sabalenka faces Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff meets Elena Rybakina.
What is the head-to-head between Pegula and Gauff?
The Guardian reports that Pegula and Gauff, former doubles partners who reached world No 1 together, are even at 5-5 in singles matchups.
Timeline
- Will it be a Sabalenka 'three-peat' or maiden US Open for new No 1 Rybakina?
Sky Sports News: Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is looking to become the first woman to achieve the 'three-peat' in New York since Serena Williams in 2014 but she faces incoming world No 1 Elena Rybakina in the US Open final on Saturday.
- Rybakina sets up blockbuster Sabalenka final at US Open
BBC Sport: Soon-to-be world number one Elena Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster US Open final between the tournament's top two seeds.
- US Open tennis 2026 women’s semi-finals: Rybakina beats Gauff to set up Sabalenka final – live
The Guardian Sport: Meet the US Open’s fascinating ambidextrous talent Tiafoe v Shelton semi-final a legacy of departing Monfils Email Ella your thoughts! First set: Sabalenka 1-0 *Pegula (*denotes next server) A strong start for Sabalenka, who wins the first game with ease. She gets an ace on the s
- US Open tennis 2026 women’s semi-finals: Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina go to deciding set – live
The Guardian Sport: Meet the US Open’s fascinating ambidextrous talent Tiafoe v Shelton semi-final a legacy of departing Monfils Semi-finals begin at 7pm ET. Email Ella your thoughts! First set: Sabalenka 1-0 *Pegula (*denotes next server) A strong start for Sabalenka, who wins the first game with e
- US Open tennis 2026 women’s semi-finals: Gauff v Rybakina, Sabalenka dominates Pegula – live
The Guardian Sport: Meet the US Open’s fascinating ambidextrous talent Tiafoe v Shelton semi-final a legacy of departing Monfils Semi-finals begin at 7pm ET. Email Ella your thoughts! First set: Sabalenka 1-0 *Pegula (*denotes next server) A strong start for Sabalenka, who wins the first game with e
- US Open tennis 2026 women’s semi-finals: Sabalenka dominates Pegula, Gauff v Rybakina next up – live
The Guardian Sport: Meet the US Open’s fascinating ambidextrous talent Tiafoe v Shelton semi-final a legacy of departing Monfils Semi-finals begin at 7pm ET. Email Ella your thoughts! First set: Sabalenka 1-0 *Pegula (*denotes next server) A strong start for Sabalenka, who wins the first game with e
- US Open tennis 2026 women’s semi-finals: Sabalenka v Pegula, Gauff v Rybakina – live
The Guardian Sport: Meet the US Open’s fascinating ambidextrous talent Tiafoe v Shelton semi-final a legacy of departing Monfils Semi-finals begin at 7pm ET. Email Ella your thoughts! No matter which way you sort it, we should have a fun final on our hands. Sabalenka v Gauff: a rematch of the 2023 U