Tennis

US Open Semis: Sabalenka Battles Past Navarro, To Face Pegula In Final - In Pics

World number two Aryna Sabalenka surged into her second straight US Open final with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win over 13th seed Emma Navarro at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday (September 6, 2024). The Belarusian needed 90 minutes to prevail over surging American Navarro, who was playing in her first Grand Slam semi-final and pushed the second set into a tie-break from 5-3 down. Sabalenka is the first woman to reach successive US Open finals since Serena Williams did it in 2018 and 2019.

US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, smiles after defeating Emma Navarro | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, smiles after defeating Emma Navarro, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus, shakes hands with Emma Navarro, of the United States
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus, shakes hands with Emma Navarro, of the United States | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus, shakes hands with Emma Navarro, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts against Emma Navarro
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts against Emma Navarro | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts against Emma Navarro, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Emma Navarro, of the United States, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Emma Navarro, of the United States, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Emma Navarro, of the United States, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Emma Navarro, of the United States
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Emma Navarro, of the United States | Photo: AP/Julia Nikhinson

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Emma Navarro, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Emma Navarro returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Emma Navarro returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka | Photo: AP/Julia Nikhinson

Emma Navarro, of the United States, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot to Emma Navarro
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot to Emma Navarro | Photo: AP/Julia Nikhinson

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Emma Navarro, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Emma Navarro, of the United States, waves as the walks onto the court
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Emma Navarro, of the United States, waves as the walks onto the court | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Emma Navarro, of the United States, waves as the walks onto the court for a semifinal match against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, waves as she walks onto the court
US Open Tennis Semifinal 2024: Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, waves as she walks onto the court | Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, waves as she walks onto the court for a semifinal match against Emma Navarro, of the United States, of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.