Emma Navarro takes on Belarusian world number two Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula plays in-form Czech Karolina Muchova at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday as home fans dare to dream of an all-American women’s final at the U.S. Open.
There could also be something for the home crowd to cheer about early on in the day with Taylor Townsend and Donald Young playing Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori in the mixed doubles final.
Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka will look to reach her second straight U.S. Open final when she faces 13th seed Navarro, who ousted defending champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round.
Navarro, 23, lost in the first round on each of her previous two U.S. Open appearances and is enjoying her deepest run at a Grand Slam.
There have been two previous meetings between the pair, with Navarro winning in three sets at Indian Wells in March and Sabalenka downing the American in straight sets at the French Open in June.
“Last two matches we played was really tough, tough matches physically and mentally. Even though I won the last one in two sets, it wasn’t that easy match, and it was very intense match,” Sabalenka said.
“I’m really looking for another great battle against her.”
Navarro said she will need to be aggressive and push back against Sabalenka’s powerful serve and groundstrokes to “scrap out” some longer points.
Pegula beat Muchova en route to the final at Cincinnati last month but there is much more riding on Thursday’s encounter.
Muchova returned to the tour in June after 10 months away due to a wrist injury but has not missed a beat at Flushing Meadows.
The Czech said her match against Pegula in Cincinnati was a tough battle and expected more of the same at Arthur Ashe.
“She’s on fire, obviously having great confidence playing this deep in the tournaments,” said Muchova. “She’s just great player, playing very deep in the court, good mover. She didn’t give me one point for free.”
Young hopes to close out his career on a high note before turning to professional pickleball as he teams up with compatriot Townsend for one more match at Flushing Meadows in the mixed doubles championship.
