Aryna Sabalenka reaches fourth straight US Open final

Aryna Sabalenka is one victory away from a third consecutive US Open title after recovering her best form to reach a fourth straight final at Flushing Meadows. The result comes as she prepares to surrender the WTA top ranking to Elena Rybakina on Monday and ends a run without a final since Miami in March.

The world No. 1 defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2, producing 29 winners to her opponent’s 12. Pegula created only one break-point chance, at 4-4 in the opening set, before Sabalenka saved it and took control. An immediate break in the second set put the match beyond the American’s reach.

Sabalenka’s surge followed a demanding quarter-final against Linda Noskova, which she won 7-6, 3-6, 7-6. Her latest victory was also a third straight New York win over Pegula. The Belarusian can now match a feat achieved by Serena Williams between 2012 and 2014 by completing a US Open treble.

Rybakina will be Sabalenka’s opponent in Saturday’s final after the Kazakh beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The meeting renews their rivalry after Rybakina won their Australian Open final earlier this season, with a third Grand Slam title at stake for the Kazakh.