US Open PICS: Sabalenka, Navarro storm into semis

Images from the US Open women's singles quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Tuesday.

Hard-hitting Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka reached her fourth straight US Open semi-final on Tuesday, cruising past China's Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2.

Sabalenka beat Zheng to pick up her second Australian Open title earlier this year and used the same playbook at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she dominated the seventh seed with her trademark mighty forehand.

Fresh off winning the Olympic title, Zheng appeared drained and was missing one of the best weapons in her arsenal as she only made 44 percent of her first serves.

"She's such an aggressive player," Sabalenka said. "She's playing such incredible tennis and it was very tough facing her."

Sabalenka got a head start when Zheng dropped her serve with an unforced backhand error in the second game and the second seed went up another break when Zheng sent a forehand into the net in the sixth game.

Sabalenka kept the pressure up in the second set, where she put up just six unforced errors, and Zheng dropped her serve in the first and fifth games after costly backhand mistakes.

The Belarusian produced a fine backhand winner at the net on the penultimate point and she clinched it with an unreturnable serve.

Sabalenka will next play American Emma Navarro.

She beat the 13th seed Navarro in the fourth round at Roland Garros but lost to her on the hard courts at Indian Wells earlier this year and told fans she expects a tough fight.

"She's a great player," said Sabalenka.

"I saw her matches here, she's playing incredible tennis and yeah it's going to be great battle and I'm really looking forward to face her again."

Navarro beats Badosa in battle of baseliners

Emma Navarro continued her breakout season as the American moved into her first Grand Slam semi-final with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Spain's Paula Badosa.

In a battle of New York-born baseliners, Navarro, who beat defending champion Coco Gauff in the previous round, stunned Badosa by winning the final six games of the second set to wrap up victory in 72 minutes.

Navarro consolidated an early break to go 3-0 up and leaned on her remarkable forehand while turning aside the two break points she faced to secure the first set in convincing fashion.

Badosa, flying the Spanish flag but born in New York, opened up a 4-1 double break lead in the second set and looked poised to force a decider after a routine hold put her ahead 5-1 before enduring a stunning collapse.

The 26th seed twice failed to serve out the set while Navarro twice held to love to pull ahead before closing out the match with her fifth break.

Navarro has found another gear in 2024 after having never advanced past the second round at a Grand Slam prior to this year.

The American has reached the third round or better at all four Grand Slams, including a fourth-round finish at Roland Garros and a quarter-final showing at Wimbledon.