Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Jessica Pegula in the women’s semifinals match on Thursday, Sept. 10
Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Michelle Obama, Al Roker, Hoda Kotb and Deborah Roberts were photographed attending day 12 of the 2026 US Open on Thursday, Sept. 10
- During the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula, the former first lady received applause from the crowd
- Other celebrities spotted at the women’s semifinals match included Robin Roberts, Wanda Sykes, Rami Malek and Jordan Chiles
Familiar faces continue to flock to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the US Open.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, during the women’s semifinals match between American Jessica Pegula and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, former first lady Michelle Obama was photographed a few rows in front of broadcast journalists Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts.
Later, Obama, 62, received a loud round of applause from the crowd, ESPN reported.
Credit: Caleb Bowlin/Getty
The group attended the match in which Sabalenka, 28, defeated Pegula, 32, 7-5 and, in the second set, 6-2.
“No complaints. I’m just super happy that I was able to pull out such tennis,” Sabalenka said in reaction to her win, according to Sports Net. “I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly.”
Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty
Sabalenka is now set to face either Kazakhstani player Elena Rybakina or American Coco Gauff for the championship match scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12. If Sabalenka is victorious, it will mark her third straight U.S. Open championship win, joining the likes of Serena Williams and Chris Evert.
At the Sept. 10 semi-final, Obama was later seen cheering on Gauff as she faced off against Rybakina.
Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty
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Obama, Roker, 72, Roberts, 65, and Kotb, 62, are among many celebrities who have attended the 2026 US Open.
Meanwhile, for the five-set match between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton on Wednesday, Sept. 9, Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Jason Isaacs, Sam Nivola, Issa Rae, Saweetie, Fetty Wap, Aziz Ansari, and Josh Hart all attended.
At the Sept. 10 match, Robin Roberts, Wanda Sykes, Rami Malek, Jordan Chiles and others were also in attendance.
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