Aryna Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula in the US Open’s women’s semifinals after her quarterfinal opponent Marketa Vondrousova was forced to withdraw with a knee injury.
Vondrousova felt pain in her knee when warming up just a few hours before she was scheduled to play. The match was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST at Arthur Ashe stadium and she was practicing ahead of it.
It has been a brutal run of injuries for Vondrousova. The former Wimbledon champion had wrist surgery in 2019 and a shoulder procedure last year. When she won Wimbledon, she did so unseeded. She was unseeded here at the US Open as well.
“I am sorry to announce that I have to withdraw from my quarterfinal match this evening due to a knee injury,” Vondrousova said. “I tried my best to take the court today but, during the warm-up, I felt again my knee. After consultation with the tournament doctor, we decided not to risk aggravating the injury.
“I appreciate all the support this tournament and apologize to the fans who were looking forward to the match. I had an amazing time here in NY and can’t wait to be back next year.”
Sabalenka also posted on social media after news of Vondrousova’s withdrawal broke.
“So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through,” Sabalenka wrote. “She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her.
“Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly. Love Aryna.”
Breaking: Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn from the US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula in the semifinal, a rematch of their 2024 US Open Final match. pic.twitter.com/SRDh3ili7o
— ESPN (@espn) September 2, 2025
Sabalenka Vs. Pegula Rematch Of Last Year’s Final
Sabalenka defeated Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in the final of last year’s US Open. Neither had been in their best form heading into the tournament but have risen to the occasion.
Pegula hasn’t dropped a set in advancing to the semis, defeating Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3 in the quarters. Sabalenka can say the same for herself, not dropping a set and now having a bit more rest with a walkover in the quarterfinal.
Sabalenka currently leads the head-to-head 7-2, winning four of six matches on a hard court.
