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Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka final score, results: World No. 1 overpowers American to advance to US Open final

Daniel Chavkin

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Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka final score, results: World No. 1 overpowers American to advance to US Open final image

Aryna Sabalenka is back in the US Open final.

The reigning champion on the women's side will play in her third-straight championship match on Saturday after defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals.

Pegula got off to a strong start, breaking Sabalenka twice in the first set and winning each of the last four games in the first set to take the lead. Pegula, who was looking for revenge after losing in the finals last year, was hoping playing from ahead would help her get Sabalenka to faulter.

However, that wasn't the case. Sabalenka overpowered Pegula in each of the last two sets, avoiding getting broken. While Pegula fought hard in the end, putting Sabalenka in a few long games, Sabalenka was able to withstand the push.

With the win, Sabalenka will play either Naomi Osaka or Amanda Anisimova in the final as she looks for her fourth major. It also means she will play a third different player in the U.S. Open final in each of her three trips.

The Sporting News tracked live updates from Thursday night's match between Pegula and Sabalenka. Here's what happened.

MORE: Meet Naomi Osaka's daughter, ex-boyfriend Cordae and more about tennis star's Japan roots

Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka final score

 123
Aryna Sabalenka466
Jessica Pegula634

Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka updates, results, highlights from 2025 US Open semifinals

FINAL: Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Jessica Pegula

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka wins the match after Pegula fought two match points, but she couldn't avoid the third. Sabalenka is back in the U.S. Open Final.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 5-4 Jessica Pegula: Pegula stays alive with an easy service game, but she needs to break Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 5-3 Jessica Pegula: Another long game ends with Sabalenka holding serve against Pegula's best, putting her one game away from victory.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 4-3 Jessica Pegula: In a must-win situation, Pegula gets four-straight points for an easy victory.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 4-2 Jessica Pegula: In the longest game of the night, Sabalenka fights off multiple break points to hold serve in impressive fashion.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 3-2 Jessica Pegula: Pegula keeps fighting as she takes another game to remain within a break point.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 3-1 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka holds serve again to go back up two games.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 2-1 Jessica Pegula: Pegula wins an easy game to get on the board in the third.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 2-0 Jessica Pegula: Another dominant service game for Sabalenka, who is now in a groove.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 Jessica Pegula: BREAK! Sabalenka breaks Pegula early in the third set to put Pegula on her heels immediately.

Third set

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka takes the second set on a tough-fought final game, forcing a deciding third set.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 5-3 Jessica Pegula: Pegula fights off another tough service game to keep this set alive.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 5-2 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka wins another service game and is one game away from taking the set.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 4-2 Jessica Pegula: Pegula fights off break point to hold serve, but she needs to find a way to break Sabalenka to stay in the set.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 4-1 Jessica Pegula: Another easy game for Sabalenka gets her back up by three.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 3-1 Jessica Pegula: Pegula wins a much-needed game as she is on the board in the second set.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 3-0 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka now has a three-game lead in the second set after holding serve.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 2-0 Jessica Pegula: BREAK! Sabalenka then breaks Pegula with a powerful return game.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6, 1-0 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka starts the second set like she did the first, by winning a game to go up 1-0.

Second set

Aryna Sabalenka 4-6 Jessica Pegula: Pegula wins the first set with another impressive service game as she wins four-straight games.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-5 Jessica Pegula: BREAK! Pegula gets her second break of the game to get within one game of winning the first set.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-4 Jessica Pegula: Pegula ties the set with a dominant service game, 40-0.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-3 Jessica Pegula: BREAK! Pegula breaks back as Sabalenka double faults to lose the game.

Aryna Sabalenka 4-2 Jessica Pegula: BREAK! Sabalenka goes up 40-15 in the game but Pegula fights back to force deuce. However, Sabalenka is able to win the next two points to win the first break of the match.

Aryna Sabalenka 3-2 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka cruises through an easy game with four-straight points before the changeover.

Aryna Sabalenka 2-2 Jessica Pegula: Pegula loses two of the first three points but follows that up with three-straight points to take the game.

Aryna Sabalenka 2-1 Jessica Pegula: Another hold by Sabalenka as we reach the first commercial break, but Pegula provided more resistance there.

Aryna Sabalenka 1-1 Jessica Pegula: Pegula returns the favor with a victory of her own to tie the set.

Aryna Sabalenka 1-0 Jessica Pegula: Sabalenka opens the match with an easy game victory, dropping just a point.

First set

7:15 p.m.: The first semifinal is about to get underway!

6:58 p.m.: Sabalenka is the only women to have reached all four major semifinals in 2025, while Pegula is playing in her first of the year.

6:35 p.m.: Jessica Pegula is playing in her second straight U.S. Open semifinal without dropping a set, becoming the first woman to do so since Serena.

5:50 p.m.: Sabalenka has arrived in Queens for her semifinal matchup vs. Jessica Pegula.

How to watch Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka

  • TV channel: ESPN, Tennis Channel
  • Live stream: Fubo, ESPN+

Pegula and Sabalenka's clash will air on ESPN and Tennis Channel nationally. Cord-cutters can find the action on ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

MORE: Inside Taylor Townsend's US Open confrontation with Jelena Ostapenko

What time does Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka start?

  • Date: Thursday, Sept. 4
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET

Thursday's semifinal duel between Pegula and Sabalenka is slated to start at 7 p.m. ET. Like all other US Open matches, Thursday's contest will take place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

MORE: Breaking down the historic prize money at the 2025 US Open

US Open 2025 tennis schedule

Here's a look ahead at the final week of action at the 2025 US Open. 

EventsDate
Women's Semifinals, Men's Doubles SemifinalsThursday, September 4
Men's Semifinals, Women's Doubles FinalsFriday, September 5
Women's Finals, Men's Doubles FinalSaturday, September 6
Men's FinalsSunday, September 7

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.