US Open 2026: Historic Semi-final Line-up Unveiled
BBC Sport reports on the exciting development in the women’s singles draw at the US Open 2026.
Top Four Seeds Create a Seminal Moment
For the first time since 1975, all four top seeds in the women’s singles have advanced to the semi-finals at the US Open. Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina will face off in a historic line-up.
Quotable Moments:
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"Oh, wow." – Coco Gauff‘s reaction to learning of her semi-final placement.
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"How amazing – it doesn’t get much better than that does it?" – Annabel Croft, former British number one, expressing her excitement on BBC Radio 5 Live.
A Shift in the Women’s Game?
This unprecedented occurrence suggests a potential shift in the women’s tennis landscape, marking a stark contrast to the unpredictable trends of recent years. Since 2020, there have been 13 different Grand Slam champions compared to just 7 on the men’s side.
Key Matchups:
- Aryna Sabalenka (Top Seed) vs Jessica Pegula in the first semi-final (00:00 BST, Friday).
- Elena Rybakina vs Coco Gauff in the second semi-final.
The Rivalry Between Sabalenka and Pegula
Sabalenka and Pegula have a well-documented rivalry, with their most recent encounter being last year’s US Open semi-final where Sabalenka prevailed. This clash will be their 13th overall, with Sabalenka holding a slight edge of 4-9 on the WTA Tour.
Pegula, the only player still seeking her first Grand Slam title, described their rivalry as "fun" and noted that it motivates her to improve. Sabalenka, meanwhile, expressed her excitement to face Pegula again, praising her opponent’s recent form.
