U.S. Open Women’s Semifinals Put New York at Center of Tennis World

The 2026 U.S. Open reaches one of its biggest nights Thursday, September 10, as the women’s semifinals take center stage at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York.

Four of the tournament’s leading players remain in contention, with Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff carrying home hopes into a semifinal lineup that also includes Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. The matches will determine who advances to Saturday’s women’s singles championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

For New York sports fans, the evening represents one of the signature moments of the annual tournament. The U.S. Open is the final Grand Slam event of the tennis season and routinely transforms Flushing Meadows into an international sports destination.

Pegula Faces Sabalenka

The first women’s semifinal features Pegula against top seed Sabalenka.

Pegula enters the match with another opportunity to make a major impact in front of a New York crowd. The Buffalo-born American has established herself among the leading players in women’s tennis and will face one of the toughest opponents in the tournament.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, arrives at the semifinal stage as the No. 1 seed. Her powerful baseline game has made her a formidable opponent on hard courts, setting up a high-profile contest for the opening match of Thursday night’s Arthur Ashe Stadium session.

For Pegula, advancing would also guarantee an American presence in the championship match.

The semifinal carries additional significance because the U.S. Open has been an important tournament in Pegula’s career. Competing in New York gives her the opportunity to pursue another deep run at a Grand Slam while playing in front of a largely supportive American audience.

Gauff Meets Rybakina in Second Semifinal

The second semifinal features another major American name, with Coco Gauff scheduled to face Elena Rybakina.

Gauff has already experienced championship success in New York, making her one of the most recognizable American players of her generation. Her combination of athleticism, court coverage and experience in high-pressure matches gives the New York crowd another home contender to support.

Rybakina presents a significant challenge. The second seed brings one of the strongest serving games on the women’s tour and has demonstrated the ability to compete successfully on tennis’ biggest stages.

Their meeting creates an intriguing contrast in styles. Gauff’s movement and defensive abilities can extend rallies and force opponents to play additional shots, while Rybakina can use her serve and aggressive groundstrokes to shorten points.

With a place in the U.S. Open final at stake, maintaining consistency during the biggest points could become one of the defining factors of the match.

Arthur Ashe Stadium Takes Center Stage

Thursday’s semifinals are scheduled for the evening session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

The stadium is the centerpiece of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and provides one of the sport’s largest stages. During the U.S. Open, the venue regularly hosts the tournament’s most prominent matches and attracts fans from New York as well as visitors from around the world.

The 2026 tournament runs from August 23 through September 13, bringing several weeks of professional tennis to Queens.

Thursday also offers something unusual for New Yorkers who want to experience the tournament outside the main stadium. The U.S. Open grounds are open to the public during the day, allowing visitors to explore parts of the tennis center before the ticketed evening semifinal session begins.

That accessibility adds another local dimension to one of the city’s biggest annual sporting events.

American Tennis Has Two Chances at the Final

Having both Pegula and Gauff in the semifinals creates significant interest for American tennis.

Because they are positioned in separate semifinal matches, the two Americans could potentially meet in the championship match if each advances Thursday night. They will first need to overcome two accomplished opponents in Sabalenka and Rybakina.

Regardless of the eventual results, having two American women among the final four gives the home crowd multiple reasons to remain invested in the tournament’s closing stages.

The matches also highlight the depth at the top of the women’s field. With the four highest seeds reaching the semifinals, Thursday’s schedule brings together players who entered the tournament among its leading contenders.

A Major Night for New York Sports

September is one of the busiest periods on New York’s sporting calendar. Baseball is approaching its decisive final weeks, football is returning, and the U.S. Open continues to draw international attention to Queens.

Thursday’s women’s semifinals stand out even within that crowded schedule.

For Pegula and Gauff, the objective is straightforward: win one more match and reach the U.S. Open final. For Sabalenka and Rybakina, the same opportunity awaits.

For New York, the evening provides another reminder of the city’s place on the international sports calendar. As four of women’s tennis’ leading competitors walk onto Arthur Ashe Stadium’s court, Flushing Meadows will once again become the center of the tennis world.