Top 4 Seeds Reach US Open Semifinals for First Time in 51 Years

Tennis fans witnessed history at the 2026 US Open as all four top-seeded women advanced to the semifinals for the first time in 51 years.

Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff each battled through three-set thrillers to create a lineup not seen since 1975. "Oh, wow," said Gauff when she learned of the milestone.

The achievement marks the first time the top four ranked players have reached the semifinals at any Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2009. It's a welcome change from the unpredictability that's defined women's tennis recently, which has crowned 13 different Grand Slam champions since 2020 compared to just seven on the men's side.

Former British number one Annabel Croft captured the excitement perfectly. "It has felt fantastic the whole tournament," she told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I just feel like there's lots of really big names now, big personalities going up against each other."

Top seed Sabalenka faces American Pegula in Thursday's first semifinal. The two-time defending champion is chasing history of her own, aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win three straight US Open titles.

"I'm loving playing against her because it's a battle, because it's a fight," said Sabalenka about facing Pegula for the 14th time. Pegula, still seeking her first Grand Slam title, called their matchups a "rivalry" that pushes her to improve.

The second semifinal features Rybakina against hometown favorite Gauff. Rybakina will become world number one on Monday regardless of the result, ending Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top.

Gauff, the 2023 champion, arrives with a refreshed perspective after disappointing fourth-round exits the past two years. "In the grand scheme of things, I'm definitely sitting here in a different mindset and perspective than I was last year," the 22-year-old said.

Why This Inspires

The alignment of the top four seeds isn't just about rankings. It represents the emergence of consistent excellence in women's tennis after years of unpredictability. These athletes have fought through pressure, injuries, and setbacks to reach the pinnacle of their sport simultaneously.

Their presence together signals that women's tennis is entering an era where dominant players can sustain peak performance. For young players watching, it shows that reaching the top and staying there is possible with dedication and resilience.

The stars have aligned in New York, and tennis fans everywhere are celebrating the thrilling matchups ahead.