The night belonged to two of the most formidable women in tennis — Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka — as both stormed into the US Open quarterfinals on Sunday. For Pegula, it was a redemption story; for Sabalenka, another chapter in her history-making streak.

Pegula, the No. 4 seed and runner-up at last year’s US Open, produced what she herself called “probably the best match” she’s played since before Wimbledon. Facing fellow American Ann Li, Pegula dismantled her opponent 6-1, 6-2 in just 54 minutes on the grand stage of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I was just hitting the ball, doing everything well, executing my strategy very well and got through it pretty quick,” the Buffalo, New York native reflected after the match.

Pegula’s flawless run

Pegula hasn’t dropped a single set in this year’s tournament and has lost just 17 games through four rounds. Against Li, she broke serve four times in the first set alone, leaving her younger opponent shell-shocked. Li, ranked 58th, was making her first appearance in the round of 16 at a major but never found rhythm — recording just five winners against 19 unforced errors.

The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with Barbora Krejčíková, who pulled off one of the most dramatic wins of the tournament by saving eight match points to defeat Taylor Townsend 1-6, 7-6 (13), 6-3. Krejčíková, a two-time Grand Slam champion, needed more than three hours to get through, while Pegula spent less than an hour on court — a contrast that could prove decisive in their showdown.

Pegula admitted she wasn’t sure her game was ready for another deep run in New York. She had lost four of her previous six matches and even cut a practice short with Sabalenka before the tournament, joking that she opted for “an escape room and a couple of drinks” instead. But her resilience and turnaround have been remarkable.

“Just on a personal goal level, I’m happy with the way I’ve been able to turn some of my tennis around the last few weeks,” Pegula said.

Sabalenka’s unstoppable streak

Meanwhile, defending champion Sabalenka reminded the tennis world why she remains the benchmark. The world No.1 brushed aside Cristina Bucșa 6-1, 6-4 under the lights, powering into her 12th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal — the longest streak since Serena Williams reached 16 in a row between 2000 and 2005.

In addition to the milestone, Sabalenka has not dropped a set in reaching the quarterfinals at all four majors this year, becoming the first woman to achieve this since Venus Williams in 1998. Her dominance in New York is unmatched — this marks her fifth straight US Open quarterfinal, the longest active streak for any player.

Her serve has been nearly untouchable, winning 38 of 40 service games this week without facing a single break point against Bucșa. The victory also guaranteed she will retain her world No.1 ranking after the tournament, regardless of the final result.

Sabalenka now faces Markéta Vondroušová, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, who stunned 2022 champion Elena Rybakina 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a late-night thriller.

What’s next in New York

With Pegula eyeing revenge against Sabalenka after last year’s final loss and Sabalenka chasing back-to-back titles, the US Open quarterfinals are shaping up to be a blockbuster. Fans are already buzzing about the possibility of another Pegula–Sabalenka clash — one that could decide if the American’s resurgence has truly peaked or if the Belarusian champion continues her unstoppable march.

Either way, history is being written at Flushing Meadows. Pegula’s transformation from shaky form to ruthless execution, and Sabalenka’s Serena-like streak, underline why this US Open could go down as one of the most unforgettable editions in recent memory.

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