Jessica Pegula advanced to the US Open semifinals after defeating fellow American Emma Navarro in a challenging three-set match. Pegula, the No. 3 seed, secured a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over the No. 26 seed on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Despite the match eventually seeing Pegula reach the final four, it was marked by numerous service breaks and double faults from both players, particularly in the opening set. Navarro took the first set 6-3, but Pegula rallied to win the second set 6-4. The deciding set saw Pegula emerge victorious to complete the comeback.
Pegula, whose family owns the NFL's Buffalo Bills and NHL's Buffalo Sabres, will face Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Navarro's father, Ben Navarro, amassed his fortune in credit cards and debt collection.
Navarro had reached the quarterfinals after a season that included a health-related break. She will aim to return to form after her U.S. Open run.
The match, which lasted nearly two hours, was described as not being a high-quality spectacle, with lengthy delays impacting the evening's schedule. "It had precious little of the drama that Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen delivered a few hours earlier," one report noted. "Frankly, it wasn’t a great watch at all."
Pegula, currently the highest-ranked American woman, is still seeking a major title. The win guarantees her $1.45 million in prize money.