Pegula Outduels Navarro in All-American US Open Quarterfinal

5:08 AM ETDeveloping

Sports Desk

In Short: Jessica Pegula overcame an early deficit to defeat Emma Navarro and advance to her third US Open semifinal, setting up a clash with Aryna Sabalenka.

Jessica Pegula outlasted Emma Navarro in a tough all-American US Open quarterfinal, securing a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. The win marks Pegula's third consecutive US Open semifinal appearance and sets up a semifinal match against Aryna Sabalenka. 'It was really tough,' Pegula said after the match, acknowledging the nine breaks of serve in a tense battle.

Pegula, who has won two titles this year, needed two hours and 20 minutes to recover from an early break in the third set. The third-seeded player is among those vying for the top world ranking spot, with second-ranked Elena Rybakina having a chance to seize the top spot with a win over Zheng Qinwen.

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, will face Pegula in the semifinal. Sabalenka has a history of beating Pegula, including in the 2024 final and the semis last year. However, the top ranking issue may be moot by the time the two players square off on Thursday, as second-ranked Rybakina can take the top spot with a win.

Elsewhere, Ben Shelton outlasted Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller, marking the latest US Open match in history to finish at 3:33 a.m. Shelton's victory means he will face Alcaraz in the semifinals, with Alcaraz having won three of his last four grand slam starts before suffering a rare defeat.

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Frances Tiafoe (right) hugged compatriot Alex Michelsen at the net, with the two good friends off the court Frances Tiafoe came from two sets and a break down to beat fellow American Alex Michelsen in a thrilling comeback to reach the US Open semi-finals.
Francis Tiafoe punched his ticket to a third career semifinal at the US Open with a five-set thriller against fellow American Alex Michelsen on Tuesday night (5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6).
Tiafoe came into the match 2-17 in his career at grand slams (0-4 at the US Open) when trailing 0-2 in sets, but dug deep for the most impressive comeback of his career to earn a spot in the semifinal for the third time in five years in New York.
Shelton made it to the quarterfinals after a three-set win over Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-2, 6-3, 6-4).
Live stream Shelton vs Alcaraz in the US Open quarterfinal on Fubo: Start your free trial now!
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images Tuesday has been a star-studded day at the US Open, but the most anticipated match by far will be in primetime between American Ben Shelton and Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz loves playing at the US Open, and a win this year would mean his second consecutive championship.
He’s dealt with a wrist injury for much of the year, so much so that he couldn’t play in the French Open or Wimbledon.

Sources

ESPN La Crosse 105.5 link