Marketa Vondrousova was scheduled to contest her second US Open quarterfinal in three years.
The 2023 Wimbledon champion made a strong start in New York, winning her first two matches in straight sets.
It was in round three that she secured her first seeded scalp of the tournament, when Vondrousova defeated [7] Jasmine Paolini 7-6, 6-1.
Backing that up with another strong performance, Vondrousova beat the in-form [7] Elena Rybakina in three sets to book a date with the world number one in the quarterfinals.
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Unfortunately, hours before Vondrousova and Aryna Sabalenka’s quarterfinal, the Czech star was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Reacting to the news, Sabalenka sent a message to the 26-year-old on social media.
Aryna Sabalenka says she is ‘so sorry’ for Marketa Vondrousova as she withdraws from the US Open
After the US Open announced Vondrousova’s withdrawal, Sabalenka shared her thoughts on her Instagram story.
Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn from the Women’s Singles event with an injury.
A revised schedule for tonight’s evening session will follow shortly.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2025
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“So sorry for Marketa [Vondrousova] after all she’s been through,” said Sabalenka.
“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.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
“Love, Aryna.”
Vondrousova is widely regarded as one of the most talented players on the WTA Tour, but has had her career ravaged by injuries over recent years.
The Czech athlete missed last year’s US Open and this year’s Australian Open with a shoulder injury.
She seemed to have found her footing in New York, however, and was expected to provide Sabalenka with her toughest challenge of the tournament to date.
Unable to compete, it’s back to the drawing board for Vondrousova, who may now be questioning if she will ever overcome her injury struggles.
For Sabalenka… all eyes are now on the semis, where she will play Jessica Pegula for the tenth time.
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula’s head-to-head record
Sabalenka and Pegula have met nine times previously on the WTA Tour, as the Belarusian star leads their head-to-head 7-2.
The world number one has won their last three matches, all of which saw her claim ‘big’ titles on North American hard courts.
MatchSurfaceTierWinnerLoserScore2025 Miami Open – FHardWTA 1000Aryna SabalenkaJessica Pegula7-5, 6-22024 US Open – FHardGrand SlamAryna SabalenkaJessica Pegula7-5, 7-52024 Cincinnati Open – FHardWTA 1000Aryna SabalenkaJessica Pegula6-3, 7-52023 WTA Finals – RRHardWTA FinalsJessica PegulaAryna Sabalenka6-4, 6-32022 WTA Finals – RRHardWTA FinalsAryna SabalenkaJessica Pegula6-3, 7-52022 Italian Open – 3RClayWTA 1000Aryna SabalenkaJessica Pegula6-1, 6-42021 Madrid Open – 3RClayWTA 1000Aryna SabalenkaJessica Pegula6-1, 6-22020 French Open – 1RClayGrand SlamAryna SabalenkaJessica Pegula6-3, 6-12020 Cincinnati Open – 3RHardWTA 1000Jessica PegulaAryna Sabalenka6-2, 2-6, 6-3Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka’s head-to-head record
12 months ago, Sabalenka beat Pegula in New York to win her maiden US Open title, as the American came up short in front of her home crowd.
Despite reaching two Grand Slam finals earlier this year, Sabalenka hasn’t won a Grand Slam since her triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2024, and would love nothing more than to pick up her second consecutive US Open title this weekend.
The world number one has been remarkably consistent at the four majors in 2025, but won’t want to finish the year without adding to her tally of three Grand Slams.
2025 Australian Open – Aryna Sabalenka lost in F to Madison Keys2025 French Open – Aryna Sabalenka lost in F to Coco Gauff2025 Wimbledon – Aryna Sabalenka lost in SF to Amanda Anisimova2025 US Open – Aryna Sabalenka to play Jessica Pegula in SF
Searching for a place in her seventh career Grand Slam final, Sabalenka will play Pegula on Thursday, September 4.