Jessica Pegula will take on Karolina Muchova with Emma Navarro taking on Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the US Open – live on Sky Sports Tennis from 7.30pm on Thursday.
Pegula beat world No.1 Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-4 to reach her first major semi-final against unseeded Czech Muchova, but for the first time on Arthur Ashe Stadium American 13th seed Navarro faced favorite Sabalenka for a place in Saturday’s women’s singles . final – from midnight.
Playing in his seventh quarterfinal at a major, sixth-seeded Pegula took advantage of Swiatek’s wobbly forehand, to seal the biggest win of his career in front of a home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Looking ahead to a clash with Muchova, the American said: “She’s very good, talented, athletic. I’m glad she didn’t play and came back and beat everyone.
“I know they have a lot of experience at Slams so I have to bring my best tennis. I’ll be worried when I wake up in the morning.”
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Highlights of Karolina Muchova’s victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia
Muchova, in just her sixth tournament back after suffering a wrist injury at the 2023 US Open, overcame illness to beat Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1 6-4 to reach the New York semifinals for the second consecutive year.
The Czech, who had yet to drop a set at a Grand Slam last year, received medical treatment and had to leave the fourth court for a break, but he still went about his business.
He is still in the early stages of his return from a serious injury, where he spent 10 months on the sidelines after wrist surgery, only returning in June.
And he made up for lost time in New York, looking as good as anyone left in the round and still yet to drop a set in the tournament.
A difficult test lies ahead in the form of the next favorite Pegula for Muchova, but he will be confident going into the match, provided his health concerns rise.
“It’s a strange match I have to say, I have a problem, I don’t want to comment if it’s okay,” he said in court.
“I like to organize, run to the bathroom and back, sorry to bother anyone but I have no other choice.
“I’m very happy to be in the semifinals, I wouldn’t have said that before the tournament. Every round is getting harder and I’m sure it’s going to be a tough match.”
First semi-final – starting at midnight live on Sky Sports Tennis – will see Navarro play Sabalenka for a spot in the final.
Navarro followed up her fourth-round win over defending champion Coco Gauff with straight sets success against Spaniard Paula Badosa to reach a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time.
Sabalenka produced a typically strong performance to reach the semi-finals in New York for the fourth consecutive year after defeating Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng.
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Aryna Sabalenka’s answer to getting more support in her semi-final against Emma Navarro is to offer to pay for drinks … for everyone at Arthur Ashe!
For the first time in 21 years, two American men and two American women will play in the US Open singles semi-finals with Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe set to meet for a place in the men’s final on Saturday.
Play order (all UK times)
Arthur Ashe Stadium
From 8pm – mixed doubles final
Taylor Townsend & Donald Young vs Sara Errani & Andrea Vavassori
From midnight – Women’s singles semifinals
Emma Navarro (USA) (13) vs Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Jessica Pegula (USA) (6) vs Karolina Muchova (Cze)
What’s coming to Sky Sports Tennis in September?
- Jasmin Open, Tunisia – WTA 250 (September 9-15)
- Guadalajara Open, Mexico – WTA 500 (September 9-15)
- Korea Open – WTA 500 (September 16 -22 – with Emma Raducanu in action)
- Thailand Open – WTA 250 (September 16-22)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports subscribers access to more than 50 per cent of live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
