NEW YORK – Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is in the 2025 US Open final for the third straight year, getting the best of Jessica Pegula again and beating her 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday.
Sabalenka, the top seed and No. 1-ranked player, will face the winner of the Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova match, who play in the other semifinal. She has been the runner-up at two other Grand Slams this year, losing to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff in the French Open.
Sabalenka, appearing in her fifth straight US Open semifinal, is seeking to become the first player to win consecutive titles since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014.
“It was a really tough match. She played incredible tennis, as always,” said Sabalenka. “I had to work really hard to get this win. I’m super happy to get the win against Jess because she’s such a great player, great fighter. They are always tough matches. I’m super happy to be in the final again.”
Sabalenka, who has won at least one set in 105 consecutive Grand Slam matches, used her powerful forehand to stake an early 4-2 lead in the first set, only to let it slip away as Pegula took control, winning the last four games, breaking Sabalenka twice as she took advantage of a sloppy return game and a flurry of unforced errors. Sabalenka finished with 27 unforced errors, but countered that with 43 winners and eight aces.
The second set was a different story, as Pegula, who was attempting to become the first American woman to reach back-to-back US Open finals since Williams in 2018 and 2019, was unable to deal with Sabalenka’s forehand return, and she scored easy points with an effective drop shot.
The frustration started to mount for Pegula, the No. 4 seed, in the third set after she was broken in the first game as she slammed the tennis ball with her racket before the changeover, but turned it around even after Sabalenka again went up two games in the third.
Pegula fought back, but squandered three break point opportunities in the sixth game that could have evened the match, and let go another chance in the eighth game with yet another break point, but could not convert.
The two-hour, five-minute match ended when Sabalenka finally converted her third match point with a forehand winner, leading to thunderous applause from the Ashe crowd.
Sabalenka takes second set
One set to go for a berth in the US Open final as Sabalenka takes the second set 6-3. Unlike the first set, it was Pegula’s errors that allowed Sabalenka to seize control of the match, and now it comes down to this.
Sabalenka taking control in the second set
The world’s No. 1 player is starting to assert herself, and her forehand is doing damage, sending Pegula chasing after it to no avail. Sabalenka took the first three games of the set before Pegula held serve during the fourth game.
Pegula wins first set 6-4
Pegula is a set away from returning to the US Open final. She ended the first set against Sabalenka by winning four straight games, taking advantage of unforced errors by Sabalenka, allowing her to break her serve.
Service games start to betray both players
Both players finally got a break in the sixth and seventh game, with Pegula getting back in the match after Sabalenka double-faulted on her service game, and nearing the end of the first set, it is 4-3 in favor of Sabalenka.
Sabalenka and Pegula even early in the match
Both players have held serve during the early part of the match, and through four games it is 2-2. Sabalenka is trying to establish her forehand and cut down on unforced errors, while Pegula, despite double-faulting twice, is doing her job in returning it most of the time. Good pacing in the early going, as neither player has taken control.
Weather update for Sabalenka vs. Pegula
There is a chance of rain in the forecast tonight in New York, so the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium will be closed. Earlier, winds were gusting up to 30 mph, making conditions difficult for those attending matches at Louis Armstrong Stadium
How to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jessica Pegula
No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka will face off against Jessica Pegula in the US Open women’s semifinal match on Thursday.
Date: Thursday, September 4
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Watch the 2025 US Open on Fubo (free trial)
How to watch 2025 US Open: Dates, TV, streaming
Dates: Sunday, Aug. 24-Sunday, Sept. 7
Location: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (New York)
TV channels: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes (Spanish language)
Streaming: Fubo (free trial)