The 2026 U.S. Open women’s semifinals are absolutely LOCKED IN, and get this: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is on the verge of making Open Era history. The top four seeds have powered their way through, setting up two massive showdowns. Sabalenka, the top seed and undisputed world No. 1, is set to face third-seeded Jessica Pegula. Right after that, it’s No. 2 Elena Rybakina squaring off against the 4-seed, Coco Gauff. This isn’t just another tournament; there’s major history on the line.
Sabalenka Chasing History, Pegula Chasing Her First Major
The first match is gonna be a barn burner, kicking off at 7 p.m. ET from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, N.Y. You’ve got Sabalenka, who’s not just ranked No. 1, but she’s also trying to become only the third woman in the Open Era to three-peat as champion! Talk about pressure. But Jessica Pegula, though, she’s the only one of these four semifinalists without a major win to her name, so you know she’s gonna be playing with fire. The odds have Sabalenka as the heavy favorite at -195 to beat Pegula (+158). The over/under for total games in that match is sitting at 22.5. This isn’t just a semifinal; it’s a battle for a shot at a legacy for both players.
Gauff vs. Rybakina: A Clash of Grand Slam Champs
Then we roll straight into the second semifinal, a heavyweight bout between Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina. Gauff, the 4-seed, already has a U.S. Open title under her belt from 2024, so she knows exactly what it takes to get it done here. Rybakina, the No. 2 seed, is a two-time Grand Slam winner herself. But here’s the wild part: this 2026 U.S. Open semifinal is the furthest she’s ever gotten in this specific tournament. Can she push past her own personal best? Gauff is the slight favorite at -118 over Rybakina (-103), with the total games over/under at 21.5. This is gonna be a tight one, no doubt!
The Expert Has Spoken: Jose Onorato’s Picks Are Coveted
When it comes to breaking down these matches, you gotta listen to the pros. Tennis handicapper Jose Onorato, who literally grew up playing competitive tennis in Caracas, Venezuela, and even trained with the legendary Nick Bollettieri, has dropped his coveted best bets. This dude’s record is insane: 168-106-8 (+107.12 units) on his best bets since 2022. He called Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open (+160), Carlos Alcaraz (+130) at the 2025 French Open, Sinner again at 2025 Wimbledon (+180), Coco Gauff (+700) at the 2025 French Open, Iga Swiatek (+1200) at 2025 Wimbledon, and then nailed Alexander Zverev (+700) at this year’s French Open. Onorato has scrutinized all the 2026 U.S. Open odds, and one bet he’s targeting is an Over. With a record like that, you know his analysis is gold.
Sabalenka is currently favored to win the entire tournament at +150. But with these four incredible athletes battling it out, anything can happen. We’re about to witness some historic tennis as these stars fight for a spot in the final!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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