US Open women’s semifinal updates: Sabalenka takes first set vs Pegula, Gauff-Rybakina up next

NEW YORK — The US Open women's singles draw is down to its final four. And a formidable one at that.

For the first time since 2009, the top four seeds in a women's Grand Slam tournament will all be in the semifinals. That year, No. 1 Dinara Safina, No. 2 Serena Williams, No. 3 Venus WIlliams and No. 4 Elena Dementieva went to the final four at Wimbledon, with Serena prevailing over Venus.

Fast forward 17 years later to New York, where top-seeded defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will open semifinal day against Jessica Pegula, while 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff faces Elena Rybakina in the second match. By the end of Thursday, the championship matchup will be set.

Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for live scores, key moments, highlights and results from both women's semifinals.

This section will be updates as results come through.

One break of serve was all Aryna Sabalenka needed to take the first set over Jessica Pegula in Thursday's US Open women's semifinal. Pegula had the opportunity to force a tiebreaker, but Sabalenka took a 40-0 lead to set up triple set point. Pegula saved one set point, but Sabalenka was able to…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/