2023 US Open: Women’s semifinals preview and predictions

The women’s semifinals at the year’s last major will feature four players who have competed in a Grand Slam final. Future number one Aryna Sabalenka and American youngster Coco Gauff will enter their matches as favorites in the US Open, but they will be pushed hard by two players who are familiar with the late rounds of a major.

Semifinal 1: (6) Coco Gauff v. (10) Karolina Muchova

The top half of the draw will see 2022 French Open finalist Coco Gauff face off against 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova. Gauff entered the tournament as one of the favorites, and she even defeated Muchova in the finals of Cincinnati less than two weeks ago.

US Open: Predicting the winners of the women’s semifinals

Gauff’s form this tournament has been shaky at times, but she breezed past Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals. Ostapenko’s form in the match was abysmal, but part of that had to do with Gauff’s play. Gauff has thrived under her new coaching staff and the American fans, and she will have the crowd’s support in this match.

Karolina Muchova has moved through the draw fairly quietly. Muchova was sensational in her performance against Sorana Cirstea. Muchova’s all-court game was on full display as she diffused Cirstea’s power with her slices and injected pace when needed. Muchova has now advanced to the semifinals at three of the four majors.

Muchova will enter the match in better form this tournament and Gauff heads into the match with the best resume of the summer. My heart says Gauff will win, but my head says Muchova. If I had to pick, I think Muchova will advance in a three-set thriller.

Prediction: Muchova in three sets

Semifinal 2: (17) Madison Keys v. (2) Aryna Sabalenka

2017 US Open finalist Madison Keys made it two Americans into the women’s semifinals after defeating Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals. Against Vondrousova, Keys never dropped serve and was able to hit through the Czech’s tricky style. In three successive matches, Keys has defeated red-hot players (Samsonova, Pegula, Vondrousova). She will need to continue her form against 2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

This fortnight, Aryna Sabalenka has lived up to her status as the new world number one. Sabalenka has not lost a set all tournament, and is in her fifth straight major semifinal. Her serve has been under control, and her ground game has been supreme.

Sabalenka will be favored in this match of big hitters, and Sabalenka defeated Keys at this year’s Wimbledon. Keys will undoubtedly have the crowd on her side, but I don’t see that being enough to undue Sabalenka.

Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets