The keys to the women's semifinals of the 2026 US Open: Sabalenka and Rybakina, favorites?

The women's semifinals of the US Open 2026 promise intense emotions, with the four best players in the world meeting in a final battle for the title that seems rich in nuances. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina appear to be the favorites, but both Jessica Pegula and Cori Gauff have more than enough tools to pull off an upset. What can we expect?

Seeing the four best tennis players in the world in a Grand Slam semifinal is quite rare, so this US Open 2026 will be remembered as yet another demonstration of the firmness and consistency of the best, despite the enormous level of competitiveness in the WTA circuit. Women's tennis is experiencing a peak moment in performance that does not match its financial situation, a result of the incompetence of those in charge.

There is no choice but to trust in future solutions and enjoy the spectacle guaranteed by the two defining matches of the finalists in Flushing Meadows. Aryna Sabalenka and Cori Gauff come in with the pressure of having not won a Grand Slam this year, Jessica Pegula has the hope of breaking molds with a success for which she has been earning merits for a long time, and Elena Rybakina wants to debut her status as number 1 with the title in New York.

Aryna Sabalenka - Jessica Pegula: a clash of styles

The Belarusian seems to see the light at the end of the tunnel, anchored in a crisis of game, results, and identity since she signed that unforgettable Sunshine Double. Aryna Sabalenka has found a good version of herself tennis-wise, but above all, she has regained the competitive fierceness that makes her thrive in crucial moments. 

Barely surviving against Noskova may give her the necessary confidence and morale to become an unstoppable tennis player for the remainder of the tournament. She will try to challenge that against a Jessica Pegula who seems to be in the best moment of her career and ready to obtain that coveted Grand Slam title.

She displayed the ability to endure against Leylah Fernández and Emma Navarro, being aware that now she will need an outstanding version of herself if she wishes to have a chance of defeating Aryna. They have faced each other 13 times, with a record of 9-4 in favor of the Belarusian.

Elena Rybakina - Cori Gauff: perfect tennis against a brilliant mind

The level of tennis that Elena Rybakina has been displaying for some time is difficult to match by anyone, but if there is someone who can do it, it's that quantum computer in her mind Cori Gauff, which enables her to unlock situations her tennis level might not seem prepared for.

The American continues to struggle with structural issues in her game, with doubts in her serve and forehand, but she manages to handle her own frustration and has the ability to play ugly and frustrate her opponents. She did it against Andreeva, but she will need to make a qualitative leap in her strokes as that alone might not suffice against the inspired Rybakina.

The fact that the Kazakh has shed the weight of having conquered number 1 can be liberating for her, although many interpret it as a double-edged sword, potentially causing Elena to relax in a way incompatible with what she will need to defeat Gauff. 

Both have lost only one set in the tournament so far and are aware of the importance this match holds for their respective sporting careers. They have only faced each other twice, with one win for each, although the last matchup should be taken into greater consideration as it occurred a few weeks ago in Canada, ending in a three-set victory for Rybakina.

What can we expect from the women's semifinals of the US Open 2026?

Both matches will take place during the night session this Thursday, so good temperature and notable humidity are expected, which will enhance the tennis of both Sabalenka and Rybakina. The Belarusian and the Kazakh start as favorites, but two highly competitive matches are anticipated, which could be decided by small details.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las claves de las semifinales femeninas del US Open 2026: Sabalenka y Rybakina, ¿favoritas?