US Open 2024: Emma Navarro to face Aryna Sabalenka in semi-finals after statement wins

In contrast to Sabalenka, Navarro had only won one match at the main stage of a Grand Slam before this year – but she has got better and better in a breakout 2024.

She reached the third round of the Australian Open, the last 16 at the French Open, the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and now the semi-finals of her home Slam.

Navarro ended Gauff’s title defence in the fourth round here – having beaten her at Wimbledon in July – and was just as impressive in seeing off Badosa.

Badosa produced two double-faults in her first service game to help Navarro take an early advantage, and also gifted two more double-faults in the eighth game as the American eased to the opening set.

However, Badosa fought back and looked in control with a double break advantage in the second set.

She twice served for the set, but, at times looking on the verge of tears, the 26th seed’s game fell apart, with Navarro clinching six games in a row to progress.

Navarro, who was born in New York, thanked her father, Ben, a billionaire businessman who encouraged her to take up the sport, in her post-match interview.

“I want to say thanks to my dad because he saw a vision from when I was really young,” Navarro said.

“He knew maybe I was a little bit ADHD or something to be sat in a classroom or in a 9-5 and I think he saw something in me from a young age.

“Thanks dad for sending me on this journey.”

Badosa had also been bidding for a first Grand Slam semi-final appearance, just months after almost quitting the sport because of a long-term back problem.

The former world number two admitted she was a “complete disaster” after her second-set collapse left her feeling like “an ant”.

“I never had the momentum. It was 5-1, but I never felt myself,” said Badosa, playing in her first quarter-final in the city where she was born.

“Losing a set from 5-1 up, I never did that before. I lost 20 points almost in a row – it’s very weird.”