Jessica Pegula will get another shot against Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open after emerging triumphant from her tense quarter-final with Emma Navarro.

An all-American last-eight tie at Arthur Ashe Stadium eventually went the way of Pegula, who came from behind to win 3-6 6-4 6-3 over Navarro.

Pegula was down a break in the deciding set and struggled on serve for much of the contest, but was able to find a way to win in two hours and 21 minutes.

Victory takes the number three seed through to a third consecutive semi-final at her home grand slam, and her fourth major semi overall.

And Pegula will now face Sabalenka in the last four, having lost to the world number one in each of her two previous US Open campaigns, suffering defeat in the 2024 final and the semi-final in 2025.

Sabalenka is still chasing a third straight title at Flushing Meadows after earning a thrilling 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 7-6 (10-8) win over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

Pegula has a poor 4-9 record in her head-to-head against Sabalenka, but has won two of their last three meetings, with victories in Wuhan last year and Berlin in 2026.

"I think it's fun to look at the rivalry we have had," Pegula said about Sabalenka. "She has gotten me here the last couple of years. 

"I have been able to beat her a few times, maybe on a smaller stage, so I think that's going to be a hurdle for me to get over.

"But at the same time, I think it's fun. We have challenged each other. 

"I know she's definitely pushed me to become a better player, so I always respect and appreciate that aspect of our rivalry."

4 - Jessica Pegula has become the first player in the Open Era to reach her first four career Grand Slam semi-finals after turning 30. Evergreen.#USOpen | @usopen @WTA pic.twitter.com/YYt5tDLnKR

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 9, 2026

Pegula acknowledged she felt relief to have overcome the stern challenge of Navarro and claim her 50th win on the WTA Tour this season.

"It was really tough, and it was physical," she said. "I wasn't exactly serving my best, and I was fighting a lot of demons out there."

Navarro has now lost all five of her career meetings with compatriot Pegula, but her run to the quarter-finals forms part of a resurgent spell of results after missing two months through illness earlier this year.

"It was super back and forth," Navarro said. "There was a minute where I felt like I kind of had her number. Then she probably felt the same about me for a little while and probably at the right times. 

"One of us would get a little bit of momentum, and then the other would step up and play a good point."

Pegula is known for her resilience, having claimed the most comeback victories (48) and three-set wins (90) of any player at WTA level since the start of the decade.

But she will have to step it up again if she is to overcome Sabalenka.

There is a strong chance Sabalenka loses her number one ranking this week, even if she wins the tournament again.

Indeed, should Elena Rybakina defeat Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday, the Kazakh will secure top spot, while Pegula also started the tournament with a chance of reaching the summit.

But Sabalenka would gladly trade that top spot if it meant she could win another US Open crown and seal a famous three-peat.

"I'll be more than happy," Sabalenka said when that potential outcome was mentioned.

"Yes, three-peat. Sounds great."

While the crowd will not be on Sabalenka's side, she has significant experience of taking on home hopes in the latter stages of the US Open, with the upcoming clash against Pegula just her latest such challenge.

48 - Jessica Pegula has claimed the most comeback wins (48) and three-set wins (90) of any player at WTA level since the start of the decade. Unrelenting.#USOpen | @usopen @WTA pic.twitter.com/IlG7s9Pwgu

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 9, 2026

In 2023, she had to take on Madison Keys in the semi-finals and then Coco Gauff final, which she lost.

And her tournament triumphs over the previous two years included wins over Navarro and Pegula across her last two matches in 2024, while last year's success saw her prevail over Pegula once more before claiming a showpiece victory over Amanda Anisimova.

"That is my karma!" laughed Sabalenka.

With Pegula and Sabalenka locked in for one semi-final, the attention now turns to the other half of the women's singles draw.

The winner of the clash between Rybakina and Zheng will meet either French Open champion Mirra Andreeva or former US Open winner Gauff, who are poised to meet in a blockbuster quarter-final.