An American upstart has found her way into the semifinal round of the US Open. Can Emma Navarro upset tournament favorite Aryna Sabalenka? Or will the Belorussian continue on what feels like an inexorable path to the title? As always, our writers share their thoughts on the match. Predicting this match are Jordan Reynolds, Ateet Shrivastava, Tope Oke, Jim Smith and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will reach Saturday’s final?
US Open Semifinal Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Aryna Sabalenka
Jordan:
Navarro can take confidence from winning her only previous hard-court meeting with Sabalenka in Indian Wells earlier this year. However, Sabalenka was not playing as well then as she is right now, and the conditions in Indian Wells were much slower than at the US Open. Navarro cannot be ruled out, and her calm demeanor and level throughout the tournament so far makes me convinced she will rise to the occasion in her first Slam semifinal. But it is still unlikely to be enough against Sabalenka, who will win her first US Open title if she keeps producing her best tennis.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Yesh:
I really think I should back Sabalenka here. She has the power to hit through Navarro’s defense, and she looks in such tremendous form here. But the same thing happened last year. Sabalenka looked unbeatable through five rounds, then she came out completely flat against Madison Keys in the semifinals. She recovered to win that match before letting the occasion completely overwhelm her in the final against Coco Gauff. Navarro’s game is somewhat similar to Gauff’s, and if the crowd and occasion throw Sabalenka off her rhythm, Navarro won’t let her recapture it. If the Belorussian plays her best, she wins easily. But I don’t expect that to happen.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Ateet:
Aryna Sabalenka has shown the highest level of hard-court tennis in this tournament and it will take a monumental effort for anyone to stop her from winning the title. Navarro is in her first Grand Slam semifinal and has played brilliantly to reach here. Navarro has defeated Sabalenka this year in Indian Wells, but the US Open’s conditions significantly differ from that and favour Sabalenka’s attacking tennis more. Sabalenka’s level will decide this match and if she plays like she did against Zheng Qinwen, she will win.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Tope:
Aryna Sabalenka notched her tenth win on the trot with an emphatic defeat of Zheng in the quarterfinal to make it four out of five in straight sets. She lost to Emma Navarro in their only match on hard courts in Indian Wells but I’m confident the Belarusian is going to grab this. I’m backing her to win the US Open and I think she’ll cruise into the final with a statement win over the American in front of the home fans.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Jim:
It’s been an excellent tournament for Navarro, reflecting her continued progress throughout this year. But this is a much tougher test than any she’s faced so far in New York. Sabalenka has been playing some excellent tennis and when the second seed is on song, she’s almost impossible to stay with – as Zheng found out in the quarterfinals. If Sabalenka’s level drops and Navarro manages to get the crowd into the match, then maybe the American has a chance. But there’s surely only one winner here.
Prediction: Sabalanka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
