US Open final scheduled – dethroned champion faces the new queen VIDEO

Still the world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to book her place in the title match, confirming that she has found the form in New York that had eluded her for much of the season.

Sabalenka had plenty of reasons for concern heading into the “Flushing Meadows” swing. After winning the “Sunshine Double” in March, she failed to reach the final of any tournament. Her form was far below expectations, and questions about her game were growing louder by the week.

However, everything changed at the final Grand Slam of the season.

The Belarusian eliminated Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals, before getting the better of Pegula in the semifinals. The victory was made even more significant by the fact that the American had won their most recent meeting, just three months ago in Berlin.

The world No. 1 now has the chance to accomplish something rarely seen in tennis. On Saturday, she will play in her fourth consecutive US Open final, and another title would give her a hat-trick of victories in New York.

ISI Photos / Alamy / Profimedia

The new world No. 1 in the WTA rankings staged a remarkable comeback against Coco Gauff, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

The American made an excellent start to the semifinal, and it looked as though she could repeat the scenario from 2023, when she defeated Sabalenka to win the title in New York.

Gauff broke for a 4-2 lead in the opening set, then consolidated the advantage without dropping a point to move 5-2 ahead. She closed out the set 6-3 without much trouble, moving to within one set of another US Open final.

However, Rybakina showed why she is considered one of the most dangerous players on hard courts.

The Kazakh immediately broke at the start of the second set to take a 3-1 lead, and soon extended her advantage to 4-1. Gauff refused to give up, managing to break back and level the score at 4-4.

However, when it mattered most, the American faltered. She double-faulted in the 10th game, handing Rybakina two set points. The Kazakh took her first opportunity to level the match.

The third set followed an almost identical script. Rybakina broke for a 5-3 lead and earned the chance to serve for a place in the final. Gauff showed her fighting spirit once again, immediately breaking back to cut the deficit to 5-4.

However, she could not complete the comeback.

Rybakina produced a brilliant volley to earn two match points at 15-40, and Gauff then sent a smash wide. That was the end of the match.