Only five tennis players in the Open Era — men and women — can say they won the U.S. Open three times in a row.
Aryna Sabalenka is on the cusp of joining the exclusive list.
After breezing past No. 3-seeded American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in a crisp one hour, 36 minutes inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night, Sabalenka is strutting into her fourth consecutive U.S. Open final in which she will face Elena Rybakina with a legitimate chance at completing the three-peat in Flushing.
Aryna Sabalenka pumps her fist during her straight-sets win over Jessica Pegula on Sept. 10, 2026 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Jason Szenes for New York Post
“I don’t know who pissed her off today,” Pegula said candidly in her postmatch press conference. “She played insane.
She played [at] a super high level. Honestly, I don’t really know if there was much I could do today.”
A women’s singles three-peat has happened just twice in the Open Era, and it has strictly been an American feat. Chris Evert and Serena Williams are the only women to do it.
Sabalenka would be in good company if she’s able to defeat Elena Rybakina, who topped Coco Gauff in Thursday night’s other semifinal, on Saturday.
Aryna Sabalenka waves to the crowd after her win over Jessica Pegula in their U.S. Open
semifinal match. Jason Szenes for New York Post
On the men’s side, only Roger Federer (five in a row from 2004-2008), Ivan Lendl (1985-1987) and John McEnroe (1979-1981) have done so.
“I was super desperate,” Sabalenka said. “I lost a tough match on grass against Jess, and I wasn’t really performing well in the middle part of the season.
I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course I want to go all the way.”
Aside from Linda Noskova forcing a third set in the quarterfinals Tuesday, Sabalenka has faced few obstacles on her way to the ninth Grand Slam final of her career.
Though she won two of their last three matches dating back to last October, Pegula still has yet to challenge Sabalenka on a Grand Slam stage. Thursday night was no different.
“She was hitting the back of the lines on her second serves, pushing me back,” Pegula said. “Like, I really want to check, I don’t think she missed a backhand.
It was just rough today. I did my best.
I thought I didn’t play bad. I think I’ve actually played worse against her before, but I think that level was probably the highest I’ve seen for her.”
The 32-year-old Pegula whiffed on her first break point of the match in the ninth game of the first set to give Sabalenka a 5-4 lead. While Sabalenka unloaded a wicked return in the following game, Pegula was able to keep it in play and even the set as the Belarusian smashed her racket on the court in frustration.
Jessica Pegula hits a backhand during her straight-sets loss to Aryna Sabalenka. Jason Szenes for New York Post
Sabalenka dropped just two points over the final two games to secure the set.
Saving three break points before Sabalenka finally converted to go up a break in the second set, Pegula lost whatever steam she had left and bowed out in 37 minutes.
“I can say that I feel confident and I feel mentally and physically really strong right now,” she said.
Seven women have won the U.S. Open women’s singles title two consecutive times but failed in their attempt at a third: Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Margaret Court, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters.
Navratilova, Graf and Williams all fell short in the final.
