U.S. Open 2026 Women’s Semifinals: Can Coco Gauff Win Another Major Title?
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- The 2026 U.S. Open women's semifinals feature all four top seeds—Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff—marking the first time since 2009 that this has occurred at a major.
- The first semifinal pits two-time defending champion Sabalenka against Pegula, with Sabalenka seeking her fifth major title and Pegula aiming for her first; Sabalenka leads their head-to-head and remains undefeated against Pegula in majors.
- Pegula has had a steadier year with 50 match wins, known for her resilience, while Sabalenka recently won a tough quarterfinal against Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková; the match is predicted to go to three sets with Sabalenka prevailing.
- The other semifinal features 2023 champion Gauff against Rybakina, who recently secured the WTA No. 1 ranking; they have split their two previous meetings, both on North American hard courts.
- This match contrasts Rybakina’s powerful serve and offensive style with Gauff’s defensive persistence and fan-favorite status, with a predicted three-set win for Gauff to set up a rematch of the 2023 final.
