Aryna Sabalenka on brink of US Open trifecta after blitzing Jessica Pegula

Sabalenka defeats Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in semi-final

Champion extends US Open winning streak to 19

Belarusian faces Rybakina in Saturday’s final

Aryna Sabalenka’s grip on the US Open showed no sign of weakening on Thursday night as the two-time defending champion swept past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to move one win from a third straight title.

The top-seeded Belarusian star finished with 29 winners to Pegula’s 12, her relentless aggression turning what had been a 50-50 fight deep into the opening set into a one-sided affair that marked her 19th consecutive victory at Flushing Meadows.