Aryna Sabalenka powered past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 on Thursday to book a place in the US Open women's final, where she will face Elena Rybakina in a high-stakes showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York. Rybakina, who defeated Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second semifinal, is guaranteed to displace Sabalenka as world No. 1 from Monday regardless of Saturday's result — ending a run of 99 consecutive weeks at the top for the Belarusian.

Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, is bidding to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women to win three consecutive US Open titles. Her victory over Pegula — the American third seed who has now lost to Sabalenka at the same stage in consecutive years — was built on a punishing forehand and relentless pressure on her opponent's second serve. Sabalenka won 14 of 19 points on Pegula's second delivery and struck 29 winners to Pegula's 12. Though the first set was tightly contested, with Sabalenka showing visible frustration at her inability to break through, Pegula faltered serving at 5-6 and ultimately dropped the set. The second was one-sided.