Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from a historic third consecutive US Open title after beating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semi-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The victory sends Sabalenka into her fourth straight US Open final, where she will face Elena Rybakina. Rybakina will also take over as the new world No. 1 next week, regardless of the final result.
Sabalenka's run is particularly impressive after a difficult stretch of form since April. Once almost unbeatable earlier in the season, the Belarusian had struggled to maintain her consistency and often lost crucial matches through her own errors.
But that version of Sabalenka has disappeared in New York.
"I feel confident and I feel mentally and physically really strong right now," she said after the victory.
Against Pegula, Sabalenka produced a controlled and aggressive display. She faced only one break point in the opening set before breaking Pegula at 6-5 to take the lead.
The second set was even more convincing as Sabalenka's power and depth repeatedly pushed Pegula behind the baseline. Despite landing only 55 percent of her first serves, she won two-thirds of her second-serve points and never allowed the American to build momentum.
The result was a major turnaround from their meeting in Berlin earlier this year, when Pegula cruised to a 6-0 set against her.
Pegula, who had been in excellent form this summer, admitted Sabalenka gave her very little to work with.
"I do think the way she played tonight, I think she would have beaten anybody," Pegula said.
Sabalenka has now reached four consecutive US Open finals and is two victories away from joining Serena Williams and Chris Evert as the only women in the Open Era to win the tournament three years in a row.
She may lose the world No. 1 ranking after the tournament, but that is no longer her priority.
"I just love New York and I love being here, and I love the energy of the city," Sabalenka said.
Now, only Rybakina stands between her and another piece of US Open history.
