US Open Semifinals: Aryna Sabalenka Outlasts Emma Navarro

In the first US Open semifinal of the night, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka shook off a feisty Emma Navarro to advance to her second straight US Open final. It was a high-quality tennis match especially in the second set when the two women combined to complete 21 consecutive first serves.

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Aryna Sabalenka Survives

Sabalenka entered this semifinal with a 3-5 record in Grand Slam semifinals. She has seen her share of missed opportunities with those five losses. Navarro was in her first career Grand Slam semifinal but did not seem fazed by the moment. Aryna Sabalenka slightly outplayed Navarro in the first set. Though the score was 6-3, only a few key points separated the two players.

Navarro remained confident and ran down everything Sabalenka sent over the net at her. Sabalenka has shown a little bit of finesse in New York. Her usual power game has included a sprinkling of very effective drop shots.

An Epic Second Set

In what could be the best set of women's tennis played in this year's US Open, the second set went down to the wire. Sabalenka served for the match at 5-4 only to be broken. Navarro started to impose her will. Some wondered if Sabalenka was haunted by those other semifinals or last year's loss in the finals to Coco Gauff.

The match went to a tiebreak. That was when Sabalenka lifted her game. She played some unbelievable points. Navarro lost the match but should be proud to enter the Top 10 with her deep run in New York.

Winning Celebration Was A Bit Subdued

Sabalenka was keenly aware that the fans were pulling for Navarro. She jokingly mentioned to the fans after her win that they finally were cheering for her. The crowd may have wanted the American to advance, but Sabalenka is a tennis treasure. In the post-match interview, Sabalenka admitted to Pam Shriver that she focused more intensely during the tiebreak to keep the fan noise from distracting her.

Sabalenka Is The Favorite

No matter who her opponent is, Jessica Pegula or Karolina Muchova, Aryna Sabalenka is the favorite to win her first US Open. She came close last year. She is the World No. 2 and hardcourts are where she plays her best tennis evidenced by the two Australian Open titles.

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula two weeks ago in the final at the Cincinnati Open, the last warmup tournament before the US Open. Pegula beat her last year in Cancun at the WTA Finals. Overall Sabalenka has been the dominant player in their head-to-head matches.

Karolina Muchova defeated Sabalenka two key times last year, at Roland Garros and Cincinnati. She has a tricky game for a power player like Sabalenka. Muchova has been dealing with a stomach bug so that could impact her performance should she reach the final.

Maiden US Open Champion

It is an exciting time in women's tennis. The US Open will have a maiden champion. Though Sabalenka is the odds-on favorite, women's tennis is so unpredictable these days that anyone can win it. As Jessica Pegula said after beating World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, a two-week Grand Slam tournament presents lots of challenges. That is especially true this year with the upsets. The player who can manage the challenges, emotions, and nerves will be crowned the champion.

US Open Women's Final

Aryna Sabalenka will be rested and ready for the US Open women's final. It will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 4 PM ET. She enjoys being the fan favorite which will most likely be the case if she faces Muchova. It will not be the case if she faces Buffalo, New York native Jessica Pegula. The final will be televised on ESPN.

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Article originally written by Wendi Oliveros