Emma Navarro is one set from her first US Open semifinal after putting Jessica Pegula under pressure. Aryna Sabalenka edged past Linda Nosková in three sets. Frances Tiafoe advanced after a five-set comeback.
Emma Navarro has taken charge of her US Open quarterfinal, forcing Jessica Pegula onto the back foot and moving within a set of her first Grand Slam semifinal. Navarro, seeded 26th, won the opening set 6-3 and kept up the pressure in the second, taking advantage of Pegula's double faults and inconsistent serving. Under the lights at Flushing Meadows, the match has swung back and forth, but Navarro's steadiness on break points has kept her ahead.
Pegula, the world number three and one of the tournament favorites, has struggled with her serve at key moments. A run of double faults and missed chances has let Navarro control the tempo, especially in long rallies and on important points. Navarro has saved break points and made the most of her own opportunities, leaving Pegula searching for a way back into the match.
The Navarro–Pegula quarterfinal was the first all-American women’s quarterfinal at the US Open since 2015, guaranteeing at least one American in the semifinals.
Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion and current world number one, was pushed to three sets by Linda Nosková before closing out the win. Sabalenka had to work for every point as Nosková kept the match close. Frances Tiafoe also moved on after a five-set battle with Alex Michelsen, winning in a deciding tiebreak to keep his run in New York alive.
The night’s schedule includes a much-anticipated match between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton, both in strong form this tournament. Alcaraz, seeded second, faces the eighth-seeded Shelton in a matchup that could shake up the men’s draw. Earlier coverage highlighted Alcaraz’s dominant play in previous rounds, setting up this high-stakes meeting.
Fans can watch the matches live on ESPN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK, with streaming available on Fubo for American viewers. The Tennis Podcast offers in-depth analysis and commentary, while the US Open’s official live blog and forums provide real-time updates and discussion.
According to the WTA, Navarro reached this quarterfinal after a straight-sets win over Anna Kalinskaya, while Pegula advanced by defeating Sorana Cirstea. Pegula entered the match with a tour-leading 49 wins for the season, as highlighted by Tennis Majors. Both players were returning to the US Open quarterfinals after deep runs in 2024, with Pegula a finalist and Navarro a semifinalist that year.
Navarro’s strong showing against Pegula hints at a possible shift in the women’s field, as established players face pressure from rising contenders. The result of this quarterfinal will decide who moves on, but it could also shake up the expected order at the top of the women’s game. With Sabalenka narrowly avoiding an upset and Tiafoe coming back from behind, the 2026 US Open is showing that no favorite is safe. Navarro’s performance is a direct challenge to the usual hierarchy, and if she keeps this level, she could be a new face in the final rounds. At Flushing Meadows this year, those who handle pressure best are moving forward, and Navarro’s composure may prove decisive as the tournament heads toward its conclusion.
