Aryna Sabalenka knocked out Emma Navarro in just over an hour and a half. Pegula and Muchova played their semi-final for more than two hours.
World number two Aryna Sabalenka advances to the women’s singles final at the US Open.
The Belarusian Sabalenka, who plays with a neutral status, defeated the 13th-ranked American in the semifinals on Thursday by Emma Navarro set 6–3, 7–6 (7–2). For Navarro, Thursday’s match was his first appearance in the semifinals of a grand slam tournament.
Sabalenka, who lives in Florida, will be seen in the finals of the US Open for the second year in a row. Last year, he came in second when the US Coco Gauff claimed the championship in New York.
Sabalenka is now one win away from the third grand slam title of her career. He has won the Australian Open twice.
– I don’t really care who I face in the final, because tonight I heard the crowd cheering for my opponent, Sabalenka commented on Thursday.
Local time, in the final match on Saturday, Sabalenka will face the United States Jessica Pegulawho won the Czech Republic Karolina Muchovan in the second semi-final 1–6, 6–4, 6–2. Before this year’s US Open, Pegula had never advanced to the semifinals of a grand slam tournament.
Story updated 06.40: Added the result of the match between Pegula and Muchova.