The world No. 1 ranking has changed hands, but there is still so much more to play for in New York.Elena Rybakina hopes to capitalize on a fortnight that made her the top-ranked woman in the world. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka aims to make history as the first player since Serena Williams to win the U.S. Open three consecutive times. Coco Gauff, 22, can become the youngest American in over two decades to win multiple U.S. Open titles. The 32-year-old Jessica Pegula is urgently seeking her first major.All four women have the opportunity to win the tournament and permanently etch their name in the sport’s history. Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.How to watch the 2026 U.S. Open women’s semifinals
Venue: Billie Jean King National Tennis Center — Queens, N.Y.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
MatchTime (ET)TVStreamNo. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 3 Jessica Pegula7 p.m.ESPNFubo (Watch Now)No. 2 Elena Rybakina vs. No. 4 Coco Gauff8:30 p.m.(approximately)ESPNFubo (Watch Now)ESPN is also available with an ESPN Unlimited subscription. The list of global broadcasters can be found on the U.S. Open website.First up, Sabalenka will meet Pegula for a third consecutive year in Flushing Meadows. The two-time U.S. Open champion beat the American in the 2024 final and in the semifinal round last year.After coming into this year’s tournament in questionable form and with zero major titles in 2026, Sabalenka’s reign as No. 1 ended with Rybakina’s quarterfinal win. But she seems to be back on track and is focused on a three-peat.Aryna Sabalenka shows her steelSabalenka has only dropped one set at this year’s U.S. Open, which came against Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková the previous round. The top seed switched rackets between points against Nosková and finished with a second-serve ace on match point, roaring her way into a sixth consecutive U.S. Open semifinal.Pegula eliminated fellow countrywoman Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a tumultuous three-setter. The No. 3 seed produced eight double faults and four breaks of serve, edging out Navarro in a nearly two-and-a-half-hour affair. The win secured her second meeting with Sabalenka this season. Pegula won that matchup in Berlin, but Sabalenka holds a 9-4 advantage in their career head-to-head.The second semifinal features crowd favorite Gauff, who stands in the way of Rybakina making her first U.S. Open final.Two weeks ago, Rybakina arrived in New York City with injury concerns that kept her from competing in the mixed doubles competition. The 2026 Australian Open champ now finds herself in the midst of a career-best U.S. Open campaign, having lost just one set. Rybakina captured the No. 1 ranking by beating a red-hot Zheng Qinwen, who was fresh off two miraculous comebacks against Madison Keys and Iga Świątek.Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, comes into the semifinals on an 11-match tear after securing the Cincinnati Open title. She showed her resilience by beating French Open winner Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 in a tense quarterfinal match. The two played out a 39-ball rally and a highly competitive second-set tiebreak in which the No. 4 seed faced two match points. Gauff completed the rally and claimed a spot in her seventh major semifinal.The winners of Thursday’s semifinals will advance to the women’s championship on Saturday.Updated U.S. Open women’s semifinals oddsStreaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
