US Open 2024 SF: Emma Navarro vs Aryna Sabalenka preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (13) Emma Navarro vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka
Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, U.S.A.
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $75,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN, RDS | India - Sony Network
Emma Navarro vs Aryna Sabalenka preview
Thirteenth seed and home favorite Emma Navarro will square off against second seed and title favorite Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster semifinal clash at the 2024 US Open on Thursday, September 5.
Navarro continues to shine in her breakthrough season, reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal. Her impressive run began in New York with dominant 6-1, 6-1 victories over Anna Blinkova and Arantxa Rus. Despite a tough challenge from 19th seed Marta Kostyuk in the third round, she secured a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win courtesy of a stellar third set.
Navarro pulled off the biggest upset in the women's draw so far when she beat compatriot and defending champion Coco Gauff in the semifinals. The momentum swung aplenty during the encounter, but it was Navarro who played the bigger points better en route to a monumental 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory.
Facing a resurgent and in-form Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals, Navarro quickly seized control of the match, breaking twice to comfortably win the first set. Badosa responded in the second set, securing a double break to take a 5-1 lead. Navarro, however, staged a remarkable comeback, breaking Badosa three times in a row to claim a 6-2, 7-5 victory.
Sabalenka began her US Open campaign with dominant victories over Priscilla Hon and Lucia Bronzetti in the first two rounds, winning 6-3, 6-3, and 6-3, 6-1, respectively. In the third round, she was tested by Ekaterina Alexandrova but came back from a set down to secure a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 win.
Sabalenka returned to her dominating best in the fourth round, defeating former doubles partner Elise Mertens with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 scoreline. Up against reigning Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals, Sabalenka played some of her best tennis in New York so far en route to a 6-1, 6-2 route.
Emma Navarro vs Aryna Sabalenka head-to-head
Emma Navarro and Aryna Sabalenka have faced each other twice on tour, with a 1-1 head-to-head record. Sabalenka won their most recent match at the 2024 French Open, but it was Navarro who triumphed on the hardcourts in Indian Wells also earlier this year.
Emma Navarro vs Aryna Sabalenka odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Emma Navarro vs Aryna Sabalenka prediction
Emma Navarro's breakthrough season on tour only seems to get better, culminating in her best Grand Slam performance to date. Her form in New York has been exceptional, and it’s exciting to think about how far she could go if she maintains this level of play. She has been a formidable force from the baseline and is rapidly improving her serve. Her net play has also been exceptionally impressive and has reaped rewards.
Sabalenka entered the event a favorite for the crown and looks poised to prove those backers right. She has been in blistering form at Flushing Meadows this year and has thrived on the faster hard courts. Her serve has been crucial to her success, and her power-packed baseline game has been nearly unstoppable. This deadly combination could be pivotal in her quest for a first US Open title.
Given their rich vein of form of late, we can expect a closely contested match between the two. Sabalenka, however, is likely to come out on top, given her superior record on the hardcourts this year and the conditions in New York suiting her style of play slightly better.
Pick: Sabalenka in straight sets.