Pegula, Sabalenka and Tiafoe all went the distance to reach the semifinals at Flushing Meadows.The Athletic Live TeamSeptember 8, 2026 at 11:01 PM EDTJessica Pegula rallied after losing the first set to Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals. Getty ImagesU.S. Open quarterfinals — LatestThree epic matches got the quarterfinals at the 2026 U.S. Open going today at Flushing Meadows, with one more to go.Jessica Pegula (3) lost the first set to Emma Navarro (26) but won the final two sets to advance to her fourth Grand Slam semifinal. Carlos Alcaraz (2) and Ben Shelton (8) is the final action of the night — and you can find our coverage of that huge showdown here.Earlier, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka (1) knocked off Linda Nosková (6) in a tense three-set match, and Frances Tiafoe (11) rallied to beat Alex Michelsen in five sets, including a deciding tiebreak.Watch or listen to The Tennis PodcastJoin the Discuss tab or email live@theathletic.comSKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementNext up: Shelton vs. Alcaraz! Oh yes, it might be coming up to 11 p.m. ET in New York — but we’ve got one huge quarterfinal still to come!It’s Ben Shelton (8) vs. Carlos Alcaraz (2) on Arthur Ashe next and to follow that one, make sure you head over to here for full live coverage of what should be a fascinating match. Pegula thankful to Arthur Ashe Getty ImagesA quite relieved Jessica Pegula takes to the mic on Arthur Ashe. Here’s what she came back with.💬 “It means everything today. It was really tough. It was physical, it’s humid. I wasn’t exactly serving my best and I was fighting a lot of demons out there today. “So thank you guys so much for coming out here, and it’s an honour to play in front of you guys. There’s nothing like it. It’s amazing every single time.”And she will get to do it again in two days’ time.The two-time champion awaits! Getty ImagesNext up for Jessica Pegula? Aryna Sabalenka — the woman who has stood in Pegula’s way and ended the U.S. Open the previous two years for the American.It’s going to be some semifinal, that. Well done to Emma Navarro too. It’s been a wonderful run for the No. 26 seed given some of the fitness issues she has had to deal with throughout this season.In the end, she lost to Pegula for the fifth time out of five in their head-to-head. ReutersAnd with that, Team Pegula can breathe a big sigh of relief! Emma Navarro gives Jessica a big smile at the net.Pegula deserved that in the end, but the holes in her game remain there for others to exploit.SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementGame, set, match: Pegula grinds it out!Pegula 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 NavarroA wild, long return from Navarro brings up a second match point for Pegula.And the next return is out too. Pegula wins!Pegula 3-6, 6-4, *5-3 (40-40) NavarroEmma Navarro has a look on the opening point but just can’t keep her balance and misses. Then Jessica Pegula delivers her eighth double fault of the match. It’s also loose from Pegula as she drags her forehand wide for 30-30, but Navarro nets her next forehand return near the post.Match point — and Pegula nets a presentable backhand. Miss.And now Navarro’s backhand pass earns a break point off Pegula’s second serve into the body, and Pegula’s devastating forehand winner down the line puts that to bed. The level is rising here! Deuce …Navarro holds ReutersPegula 3-6, 6-4, *5-3 NavarroA reaching forehand lob from Navarro drifts wide but Pegula’s forehand is then long from the baseline, and he nets her next return.A wild second serve is Navarro’s eighth double fault but from 30-30, Pegula missed the baseline and Navarro then lets fly with her best backhand winner of the night.She holds. Over to you, Jessica — serving for the match.Here we go then, Emma Navarro (26) serves to stay in the match — and to make Jessica Pegula (3) serve it out herself …Pegula 3-6, 6-4, 5-2* NavarroA good pick-up of Navarro’s drop shot from Pegula, but her volley is weak and fades into the net.That is 30-15 but the rest of the hold is little issue for Pegula.If Navarro really is running out of steam, we’re about to find out. She’s now serving to stay in this quarterfinal.SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementNavarro starting to lose ground Getty ImagesPegula 3-6, 6-4, *4-2 NavarroJessica Pegula is starting to look and feel like someone who is going to win this from here.She works two more break points at 15-40 and on the second of those points, she drives a stunning backhand return right across the court.Untouchable. And now the No. 3 seed is two games away from the semifinals. Getty ImagesPegula 3-6, 6-4, 3-2* NavarroIs this the same game in reverse? Now Pegula gets caught on her heels at the baseline and nets for 0-30.She delivers her fastest serve of the night in response — but then double faults for two more break points for Navarro.The No. 3 seed gets back on track with two short points for deuce, before an ace and Navarro’s netted return snuffs out the danger.That was a short, wild ride of a game. Pegula breaks second! ReutersPegula 3-6, 6-4, *2-2 NavarroWho’s tightening up most? Emma Navarro gets caught on her heels and nets a horrible backhand for 0-30 — before Jessica Pegula gets to the net and dispatches for three points to break back immediately.She needs one. That is a response. Super tiebreak, anyone?!Navarro breaks first in deciding set Getty ImagesPegula 3-6, 6-4, 1-2* NavarroExtra aggression and then a fiery forehand return has Navarro at 30-30 and Pegula double faults to give up a second break point in as many service games in this deciding set.She saves that one and a second follows as Navarro outlasts her in a baseline rally, but Navarro returns long.Third time lucky after a floppy, long Pegula backhand? Pegula nets and Navarro has the break.Horribly passive from Pegula there. Can Navarro now step on the gas?Pegula 3-6, 6-4, *1-1 NavarroIt looks like the ideal response again from Navarro, sat at 40-0. But Pegula finds a couple of big shots and Navarro is pegged back to deuce.It then takes a bit of effort, and a well-timed ace, for Navarro to hold after her second ad-point. SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementPegula finds forehand form ReutersPegula 3-6, 6-4, 1-0* NavarroThis already feels like a big game as we start the deciding set, helped by the fact Pegula gets stuck at 30-30 and then gives up an early break point.But the lengthy rally ends with a tentative Navarro netting her backhand and a gorgeous forehand down the line gets the No. 3 seed back on track. Another forehand — crosscourt this time to end a 27-shot rally — seals the opening hold.Now the pressure really flips onto Navarro.We’re going to need more snacks ReutersI can tell you now, with it being 10 p.m. ET in New York and a deciding set on the way here.And with Ben Shelton vs. Carlos Alcaraz to come …It’s going to be a LATE night.Pegula breaks to win the set! Getty ImagesPegula 3-6, 6-4, *0-0 NavarroPegula gets stuck at the net and Navarro calls her bluff to hit the open court for 30-0. Pegula then drills her return to keep some pressure on.Another ball flashes past Navarro with a crisp forehand and it’s 30-30 with a spark from Pegula.Not the time for a double fault, Emma. But it comes — and Pegula finds the forehand winner off her sole set point.And that is how a match shifts in the blink of an eye. BANG. The business end arrivesPegula 3-6, 5-4* NavarroAnything you can do … Pegula holds to 15 to follow.This is going to get spicy. Hopefully the players have been holding a little bit back.Especially Pegula. It’s time to deliver.