Aryna Sabalenka progressed to a fourth consecutive US Open final after defeating Jessica Pegula in straight sets.

The top seed won 7-5 6-2 in an hour and 20 minutes, and will face either Coco Gauff or Elena Rybakina in Saturday's showpiece at Flushing Meadows.

Both players started well on serve and saved one break point each on their way to 5-5 in the first set, though things very quickly swayed in favour of Sabalenka.

The two-time defending champion brought up three break-point opportunities in the 12th game as Pegula was stunned by her opponent's power, and the Belarusian managed to snatch the first.

The second was far simpler for Sabalenka, who converted a break point in the fourth game, albeit at the fourth attempt, as home favourite Pegula still looked stunned from her late collapse at the end of the first.

Sabalenka then broke Pegula's serve again in the eighth game, booking her place in the final with her first match point at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

8 - Aryna Sabalenka is the first female or male player in the Open Era to reach 8+ consecutive GS finals on hard court, surpassing the seven reached by Steffi Graf (US 1987-90), Martina Hingis (AO 1997-00) and Novak Djokovic (US 2010-13). Wow!#USOpen | @usopen @WTA pic.twitter.com/5aVNVUVTWQ

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 11, 2026

Sabalenka haunts Pegula once again at Flushing Meadows

Sabalenka had a point to prove in her first match since losing her world number one ranking, which will be official on Monday, and she reminded everyone she is still the player to beat as two-time defending champion.

Since 1988, Sabalenka has become the fifth player to reach 5+ grand slam finals as world number one after Steffi Graf (20), Serena Williams (14), Monica Seles and Martina Hingis (nine each).

Sabalenka is also the first female or male player in the Open Era to reach 8+ consecutive grand slam finals on hard court, surpassing the seven reached by Graf (US 1987-90), Hingis (AO 1997-00) and Novak Djokovic (US 2010-13).

And it was a familiar feeling for the 28-year-old, who has now defeated Pegula in each of the last three editions of the US Open.

It was the second-serve points which made a huge difference in this semi-final, with Sabalenka winning 67% (14/21) of such points to Pegula's 26% (5/19), as the American's wait for a maiden grand slam title goes on.