Aryna Sabalenka Warns Rivals It’s ‘Better Not to Make Me Mad’ After Dismantling Jessica Pegula in US Open Semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka, en route to reaching her fourth consecutive final at the US Open, dropped just one set against reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. She was ruthless in the semifinal, dismantling Jessica Pegula 7-6, 6-2.

Pegula, whom Sabalenka defeated to win her first US Open title back in 2024, heaped a lot of praise on the Belarusian, joking, “I don’t know who () her off today. Hopefully it wasn’t me, totally, it might’ve been. I don’t know, she played insane.”

Before this match, they met in the semifinals of the Berlin Open this year, the result of which ended in the American ace’s favor. Pegula, in fact, handed her a bagel in the decider. When Sabalenka was asked about Pegula’s comment in the press conference after their latest match, the 28-year-old said:

No, I just think that in Berlin she played incredible. Not much I could do. So it really make me feel like I have little chances today, in a way. But also I knew that I have to be focused from the beginning until the end. And I think that really helped me to be that focused and to perform at that level. But just come on, I could not say that. But yeah, better not to make me mad.

It was their 14th head-to-head meeting, with Sabalenka extending her lead to 10-4. Pegula was chasing her career’s first Grand Slam title and was also aiming to reach a final at this level for the second time. The 32-year-old has already clinched two titles from five finals. She won in Dubai and Charleston, and lost in Berlin, Washington, and Cincinnati.

Sabalenka will be playing her fifth final of the season. She won in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Miami, and lost the Australian Open to Elena Rybakina. The 28-year-old will be playing a final for the first time since the Miami Open.

Aryna Sabalenka has set up a blockbuster clash with Elena Rybakina in the US Open final

Just one more win and Aryna Sabalenka will complete the three-peat of the US Open. Sabalenka, after beating Jessica Pegula in the 2024 US Open final, defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final the following season.

But up against her will be a very tough opponent in the form of Elena Rybakina, who has already dethroned her from the No. 1 spot in the live ranking. Sabalenka holds a 10-7 head-to-head lead, also defeating her in their last two meetings.

She’s a big server. She’s really improved over the years on the baseline game. So, it’s going to be physically and mentally tough match, but as I said, I’m ready. I’m ready for the fight. I’m ready to do everything to get the win. So, I’m excited for that match.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

Rybakina is chasing her third Grand Slam title after her wins at the 2022 Wimbledon and this year’s Australian Open. The Kazakh ace, in fact, will be playing her career’s fourth Grand Slam final (she lost the 2023 Australian Open to Sabalenka).

Before the US Open, Rybakina had competed in four finals, winning in Stuttgart and Melbourne, and losing in Indian Wells and at the Canadian Open. She had never made it to the quarterfinals of the New York Major before this season.

On the men’s side, reigning French Open champion Alexander Zverev will face Karen Khachanov, and Ben Shelton will face Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz lost a five-set battle to Shelton while last year’s runner-up Jannik Sinner withdrew due to a knee injury. Novak Djokovic suffered a five-set upset in the first round.

Also read: Megyn Kelly Slams Naomi Osaka’s US Open Fashion Choices: “Looks Like Someone Ran Over Her Cat”