Pegula stages impressive comeback, Sabalenka continues US Open dominance in 2026
core_answer: Jessica Pegula (hạt giống số 3) thắng ngược Leylah Fernandez 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 để vào vòng 4 US Open 2026. Aryna Sabalenka tiếp tục thống trị với 16 trận thắng liên tiếp tại Flushing Meadows.
key_facts: Pegula thắng 5/7 break-point sau set 1, cứu 8/9 break-point ở set 2-3.; Sabalenka có 10 ace, 1 lỗi kép, thắng 74,6% điểm giao bóng trước Rakhimova.; Taylor Townsend đối mặt Sabalenka ở vòng 4 sau khi cứu 10/12 break-point.; Pegula có 11 trận thắng ngược trong năm 2026, ngang với Coco Gauff.
source_attribution: US Open, WTA | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn
related_qa: q: Pegula có cơ hội lên số 1 thế giới không?, a: Có, nếu vô địch US Open 2026, Pegula sẽ lần đầu tiên vươn lên vị trí số 1 WTA.; q: Sabalenka đang có chuỗi thắng bao nhiêu trận tại US Open?, a: Sabalenka đang sở hữu chuỗi 16 trận thắng liên tiếp tại US Open, tốt nhất kể từ Serena Williams.
New York – The clock on Louis Armstrong Stadium had barely ticked 22 minutes, but No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula was already in her toughest battle of the tournament. She trailed 0-3 against Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian who made history at the 2026 US Open. Pegula's first serves lacked weight, her footwork was sluggish, and she won just 1 of 3 service games in the opening set. But then, as has become her trademark this season, Pegula rose.
Context: The 2026 US Open enters its decisive phase
This year's US Open has witnessed the return of big names and exciting surprises. On Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion and top seed, continued to display absolute dominance, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets. Sabalenka now holds a 16-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows – the best since Serena Williams (2026-2026). With 10 aces, just 1 double fault, and a 74.6% service points won rate, she is the overwhelming title favorite.
Meanwhile, Pegula – the 2026 US Open runner-up – stands before a historic opportunity: if she wins this tournament, she will rise to World No. 1 for the first time. But the path is anything but smooth. In the third round, she faced Leylah Fernandez, the 2026 US Open finalist. Fernandez played high-intensity attacking tennis from the start, standing deep in the court to receive serve, and completely disrupted Pegula's rhythm in the first set.
Core analysis: Pegula's tactical adjustment and mental fortitude
The first-set statistics tell the story: Pegula won just 1 of 3 service games, created zero break-point opportunities on Fernandez's serve. She admitted after the match: 'I don't really feel like I was in the first set. Footwork was lazy.' This has become a familiar pattern for Pegula this season: slow starts followed by mid-match resurgence.
The turning point came in the 8th game of the second set. With the score at 4-4, Pegula was broken and fell behind 4-5. But she immediately responded with a break back, leveling the set. In the tie-break, Pegula played like a different player: precise down-the-line forehands, serves finding the right angles, and steely resolve. She won the tie-break, forcing a deciding set.
The third set saw Pegula's complete dominance. She led 3-1, saved 8 of 9 break points faced across sets 2 and 3, and converted 5 of 7 break-point opportunities. Her 11 comeback wins in 2026 (tied with Coco Gauff) demonstrate that Pegula possesses one of the strongest mental games on tour.
Contrarian angle: The hidden weakness behind the victory
While the victory was impressive, Pegula's 'slow start – strong finish' pattern is a genuine tactical concern. In the fourth round, she will face Sorana Cirstea – an experienced player capable of maintaining high intensity throughout a match. If Pegula drops the first set again, Cirstea may not make the same mistakes as Fernandez. And if the quarterfinal opponent is Emma Navarro (No. 8 seed, 2026 US Open semifinalist) or Karolina Muchova, the pressure will be even greater.
On the other side of the draw, Sabalenka is showing a completely different face. She said after her match: 'Before, I used to think players like Serena were untouchable, something impossible to reach. But now I have a different mindset.' With 16 consecutive US Open wins, Sabalenka is building a dynasty on Flushing Meadows hard courts. However, the fourth round presents an interesting challenge as she faces Taylor Townsend – an American player with exceptional break-point saving form (10/12, 83.3%) and fearless tennis. Townsend said: 'I'm f—ing pumped. This is why I play tennis.'
Takeaway: Signals for the road ahead
Pegula has passed a difficult test, but questions about her first-set consistency remain. Her journey to a maiden Grand Slam title and World No. 1 ranking will depend on her ability to overcome this weakness. Meanwhile, Sabalenka remains an impenetrable fortress. Can Townsend create an upset? Or will Pegula find a way to avoid another comeback? The 2026 US Open is entering its decisive days, and all eyes are on New York.