US Open: All four top seeds reach women's semi-finals for first time since 1975
For only the second time in the Open Era, all four top-seeded women have reached the US Open semi-finals, matching a feat last seen at any Grand Slam in 2009. Aryna Sabalenka faces Jessica Pegula on Thursday, while Coco Gauff meets new world number one Elena Rybakina.
Tennis at Flushing Meadows has reached a historic milestone: all four top-seeded women have advanced to the 2026 US Open semi-finals. According to multiple sources (BBC, Sky Sports, WTA and The Athletic), this is only the second time it has happened at the US Open since 1975 — and the first time at any Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2009.
Sabalenka vs Pegula
In the first semi-final, two-time defending champion and top seed Aryna Sabalenka faced third seed Jessica Pegula. According to BBC's live coverage, Sabalenka took the first set 7-5 and led 2-1 in the second, having saved two break points along the way. Commentators noted Sabalenka appeared visibly tense and emotional during parts of the match but lifted her level at key moments.
This marked the 14th career meeting between the two. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 9-4, according to WTA, though their last three encounters have all gone to a deciding set, split two apiece. Sabalenka beat Pegula in last year's US Open final and semi-final, while Pegula defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-0 in this year's Berlin semi-final. A win would put Sabalenka on course to become the first player since Serena Williams (2012-2014) to win three straight US Open titles; Pegula, meanwhile, is still chasing her first Grand Slam title.
Rybakina vs Gauff
In the second semi-final, second seed Elena Rybakina met fourth seed and home favourite Coco Gauff. Rybakina's quarter-final win over Zheng Qinwen confirmed she will become the new world number one on Monday — the first player from Kazakhstan to top the rankings — taking over from Sabalenka, who had held the No. 1 spot since October 2024.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, saved two match points against French Open champion Mirra Andreeva to reach the semi-finals. Gauff and Rybakina are tied 1-1 head-to-head, with Rybakina winning their most recent meeting at last month's Canadian Open semi-finals.
Record prize money
BBC notes this year's US Open offers the largest prize fund in Grand Slam history, $108m in total — a 20% increase on last year — with singles champions each receiving $5.5m. The winners of Thursday's semi-finals will meet in Saturday's final.
