US Open 2024: Preview and predictions for women's semifinals

We are two days away from crowning a new women's winner of the US Open. None of the four semifinalists - Aryna Sabalenka, Emma Navarro, Karolina Muchova, and Jessica Pegula - have won in New York before. Sabalenka was a finalist last year though she lost to Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka was one of the favorites - if not the favorite - heading into the tournament. Her power with both her serve and forehand, translates well to a hard court. She should be expected to win her first trophy at the final Grand Slam of the year.

There is a chance we could see an all-American final. Pegula is in one semifinal while Navarro is in the other. Americans are already assured of having a man in the men's final on Sunday.

Preview and predictions for 2024 US Open women's semifinals

Aryna Sabalenka versus Emma Navarro

Sabalenka is made for hard-court tennis. Though she has not won the US Open yet, her Grand Slam victories have come on the hard courts of the Australian Open. She was a finalist at the US Open last year and lost to a red-hot Coco Gauff who could seemingly do no wrong. Except for dropping one set at this year's tournament, Sabalenka has not lost more than three games in any other set except for one.

Navarro has had a slightly tougher time as two of her matches went three sets. That said, she defeated Gauff on her run to the semifinals and is clearly capable of beating anyone. She doesn't have the power of Sabalenka, but her athletic ability keeps her in points she otherwise would not be.

These two players have played twice, and both times were in 2024. Navarro defeated Sabalenka in the round of 16 at Indian Wells so the American should have some confidence heading into the match. Ultimately, Sabalenka will win in three sets.

Karolina Muchova versus Jessica Pegula

If Pegula had any nerves about being close to making her first Grand Slam semifinal, she did not show it against top-seeded Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. The American played elite tennis, especially when it came to returning Swiatek's serve, and took the match somewhat easily in two sets. Pegula is playing arguably the best tennis of her career currently.

Pegula has moved up to No. 4 on the WTA during her run at the US Open, and if she defeats Muchova, she will move up to No. 3.

Muchova, though, is certainly no easy task to defeat. She made the semifinals in the New York last year so she likely expected some level of success this year. She has the firepower to keep Pegula a bit off-balance from the baseline, but Pegula is simply this year's version of 2023 Coco Gauff and Pegula will win in straight sets.

US Open women's semifinals details:

• Location: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Queens, New York
• Match time: Sabalenka versus Navarro is set to begin at 7 pm ET and followed by Muchova versus Pegula

Tennis fans also know that weather will not be a factor in the matches. Arthur Ashe Stadium has a retractable roof anyway, but the weather in Queens is supposed to have clear skies with temperatures in the lower 70s with light winds. That should make for perfect tennis conditions.

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