Aryna Sabalenka turns desperation into confidence as US Open final beckons

Aryna Sabalenka admitted she had been desperate to regain control of her season after a difficult run of form, but the world No. 1 has now found her confidence at exactly the right time.

Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 on Thursday to reach the US Open final, putting herself one victory away from an extraordinary third consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

The top seed had not reached a tournament final since completing the Sunshine Double in March. With her results dipping during the middle of the season, questions were beginning to emerge about whether Sabalenka could rediscover her best tennis at the year’s final Grand Slam.

Those doubts have quickly disappeared in New York.

Sabalenka has produced a dominant campaign at the 2026 US Open, defeating Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarter-finals before overcoming Pegula in the last four.

The victory was particularly satisfying given that Pegula had beaten Sabalenka in their previous meeting just three months ago in Berlin.

“I was super desperate,” Sabalenka said after the match. “I lost a tough match on grass against Jess, and I wasn’t really performing well in the middle part of the season.”

The Belarusian added that the US Open felt like an important opportunity to turn her season around.

“So it kind of feels for me, talking about Grand Slams, like a last push of the season,” she said. “I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course, I want to go all the way.”

Her mindset heading into the semi-final was straightforward: do whatever was necessary to win.

“The mentality was just, I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever it’s going to take to get the win.”

That determination has carried Sabalenka back to the US Open championship match, where she will attempt to complete a remarkable three-peat.

The achievement would also extend her extraordinary record on hard courts. Sabalenka has now reached her eighth consecutive hard-court Grand Slam final, a streak stretching back to her maiden major championship at the 2023 Australian Open.

For a player who entered New York with questions surrounding her form, the turnaround has been emphatic.

“I feel confident,” Sabalenka said. “I feel mentally and physically really strong right now.”

And while her path through the tournament has already been impressive, Sabalenka’s attention is now firmly fixed on the biggest prize of all.

“I just love New York,” she said. “I love being here, and I love the energy of the city. I think that’s what drives me. That’s what really inspires me and pushes me to keep going.”

With the US Open final now within reach, Sabalenka has transformed a season of uncertainty into another opportunity to make history.

US Open 2026

The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season. The 2026 edition runs from August 30 to September 13 at Flushing Meadows in New York City, with the tournament played on hard courts.

Follow the links below for more information about the US Open 2026, the draw, results, schedule and players.