"Saw Emma Navarro coming for her spot as top rich girl": Fans joke about potential 'all-billionaire' US Open final as Jessica Pegula beats Iga Swiatek
Jessica Pegula has advanced to her maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the 2024 US Open by ousting top seed Iga Swiatek from the Major. The prospect of Pegula setting up a blockbuster title clash with compatriot and fellow billionaire heiress Emma Navarro has drawn hilarious reactions from tennis fans.
Pegula and Swiatek locked horns in a highly anticipated battle for a spot in the semifinals of the New York Major. The American overcame her 0-6 record in the Grand Slam quarterfinals to deliver a clinical performance, claiming a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory to advance to join Navarro in the final four.
Emma Navarro also achieved the milestone of reaching her maiden Major semifinal at her home Slam, beating Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5 after battling back from 5-1 down in the second set.
Drawn in the opposite halves of the draw, Pegula and Navarro could set up a blockbuster all-American showdown in the US Open final, provided they beat their semifinal opponents.
Another compelling aspect of a potential final between the two is the fact that they are both billionaire heiresses. Jessica Pegula's parents Terry and Kim Pegula have amassed a $7.7 billion fortune through their ownership of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the NFL team Buffalo Bills and the NHL franchise Buffalo Sabres, as well as Terry's oil and gas business.
Meanwhile, Emma Navarro's father, Ben Navarro, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, derived from his role as the founder and chief executive of the Sherman Financial Group and the owner of the Charleston Open and Cincinnati Open tennis tournaments.
Following Jessica Pegula's win over Iga Swiatek, fans couldn't help but poke fun at the prospect of the World No. 6 setting up an "all-billionaire" final against Navarro.
"Jess saw Emma coming for her spot as the top rich girl and had to remind everyone she’s the OG, IKTR," one fan joked.
"The scenes if we end up with an all billionaire final 💀," another fan quipped.
"When it's Pegula Navarro slam final and it's the battle of the nepo babies," a fan remarked.
Fans continued to joke about the "nasty" scenario of the two American billionaire heiresses reaching the semifinals at Flushing Meadows, with one fan playfully remarking that their potential title clash would spark "hilarious discourse" on social media.
"Two american billionaires in the semi finals is NASTY omg," one fan wrote.
"Those damn billionaires stay winning 💰💰💰💰💰💰," another fan joked.
"The discourse around the battle of billionaires in the final would be hilarious," a fan quipped.
"Navarro vs Pegula for the US Open championship would be kinda crazy. The Billionaire daughters 🎾🎾🎾," said yet another.
US Open 2024 SF: Jessica Pegula to lock horns with Karolina Muchova; Emma Navarro faces Aryna Sabalenka
Following her win over Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula will square off against Karolina Muchova in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open. Muchova defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1, 6-4 to book her place against the World No. 6. Pegula will enter the clash with an air of confidence, having recently claimed a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 win over the Czech at the recent Cincinnati Open.
Emma Navarro, meanwhile, will be up against a formidable challenge as she battles it out against second seed Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final. The Belarusian triumphed over Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals of the New York Major for the fourth consecutive year.
Sabalenka and Navarro have split the results of their two previous encounters on tour. While the World No. 2 secured a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory in their fourth-round clash at this year's Franch Open, the American claimed a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win in their only hardcourt meeting at the 2024 Indian Wells Open.
If Emma Navarro upsets Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, she will set up a blockbuster all-American showdown against Jessica Pegula in the US Open final.