Aryna Sabalenka is just one win away from completing a historic three-peat at the US Open.
Seeded first at Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula on Thursday to advance to the final, where she will take on the new world number one, Elena Rybakina.
The Belarusian is bidding to become just the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles, joining Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
How would you rate Coco Gauff’s Grand Slam season?
Since falling in the 2023 final to Coco Gauff, Sabalenka has not lost at the US Open, having captured her third and fourth Grand Slam crowns in 2024 and 2025.
En route to a fourth straight US Open final, the 28-year-old has just made history.
Aryna Sabalenka joins four tennis legends in rare feat
According to Opta Ace, since 1988, Sabalenka has become the fifth player to reach five or more Grand Slam finals as world number one.
She follows Steffi Graf (20), Serena Williams (14), Monica Seles and Martina Hingis (nine each).
Sabalenka’s 99-week stint as world number one began in October 2024 when she took the top spot from Iga Swiatek.
In 2025, Sabalenka made the final of three Grand Slams: the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open.
Who will win the US Open men’s singles title?
Pick your champion!
She finished as the runner-up in Melbourne and Paris before capturing her fourth Grand Slam title in New York.
This season, Sabalenka has made two Grand Slam finals, having already finished second at Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka is looking to keep up her streak of winning at least one major every year, which she has managed since 2023.
Aryna Sabalenka’s route to the 2026 US Open final
Sabalenka has enjoyed a dominant path to the US Open final, having dropped just one set throughout her campaign.
She cruised through her opening three rounds at the tournament, conceding just 15 games.
After beating American star Taylor Townsend without much trouble in round four, Sabalenka was finally tested in the quarterfinals.
Faced with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, Sabalenka dropped her first set of the event, but held firm in the decisive third-set tiebreak with the Czech player to emerge victorious.
Against third seed Pegula, Sabalenka produced some of her best tennis in a while, beating her in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
Add to Preferred Sources 