Jessica Pegula is back in the Grand Slam semifinal round again after a three-set comeback at the 2026 U.S. Open quarterfinals in New York. The No. 3 seed dropped the opening set to Emma Navarro before taking the next two to keep her run going at Flushing Meadows.
For Pegula, the result carries real weight. It is her fourth Grand Slam semifinal and her third straight trip to the U.S. Open semifinals. It also comes after she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the previous two U.S. Opens, giving Tuesday's result an added layer of significance as the tournament moves into its final stretch.
Pegula called the win especially meaningful, noting how physical the match was and how difficult it was to keep pushing in humid conditions. She also thanked the crowd after the match, saying it is an honor to play in front of them and that the atmosphere is special every time she steps on court.
Quarterfinals shape the semifinal field
Pegula was not the only player to move on earlier in the day. Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion and No. 2 seed, defeated Linda Nosková in three sets. Frances Tiafoe also advanced after a five-set win over Alex Michelsen, taking a deciding tiebreak to finish the match.
Later that night, Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz were scheduled to play on Arthur Ashe, with the rest of the semifinal picture still coming together. Pegula's next opponent is Sabalenka, and that matchup is set for two days' time. It gives the semifinals a familiar headliner, with a champion and a top American contender both still alive in New York.
Navarro's quarterfinal run also stood out. Her deep push at the 2026 U.S. Open came despite fitness issues she had dealt with during the season, making her place among the final eight a notable achievement even in defeat.
