American Emma Navarro has just been speaking in the tunnel before heading out on to court.

"It's so cool to be out her competing in front of the American fans," Navarro told Sky Sports.

On how she intends to deal with Aryna Sabalenka's serve: "I need to push back against it and send a message from the beginning.

"I need to be aggressive and just push back against it."

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Navarro's two previous appearances in the US Open main draw ended in the first round (2021 & 2023) but her form over the course of 2024 suggested she would enjoy a deeper run this time.

Navarro kicked off the year with a first WTA Tour title, winning the Hobart International in Australia before going on to break new ground at each Grand Slam.

The American had never previously gone beyond round two at a Grand Slam prior to 2024 but has now reached round three at the Australian Open, round four at the French Open and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

A straight-set victory against Spain's Paula Badosa on Tuesday sealed Navarro's spot in a first semi-final.

She has also picked up some statement wins in 2024, including beating Coco Gauff at Wimbledon and the US Open, ending her compatriot's title defence at the latter.

Next up is world number two and 2023 US Open finalist Aryna Sabalenka.

Abigail Johnson
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

It's so open [the women's draw], the level has been growing throughout the tournament.

I would hesitate to make a call on either match.

Aryna Sabalenka was my pick coming into the tournament so I have always got an eye on her.

The last all-American final in the women's draw at the US Open came back in 2017 when Sloane Stephens beat compatriot Madison Keys.

Are we set for another this weekend?

Get in touch with your thoughts on who you think will come through tonight's semi-finals and who you think will go on to lift the title.

Get involved using the details listed above.

BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

We've got live commentary of tonight's semi-finals on Radio 5 Sports Extra if you're in the UK.

Click 'listen live' at the top of this page to follow along.

Image source, Getty Images

Aryna Sabalenka is the only woman remaining in the draw to have previously laid hands on a Grand Slam trophy.

The Belarusian won the Australian Open in 2023 and went on to retain her crown earlier this year, storming to the trophy in emphatic fashion without dropping a set.

However, in March her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, died in what she called "an unthinkable tragedy".

Sabalenka continued playing - something she said, with hindsight, she should not have done - before she struggled with a stomach problem in her French Open quarter-final loss and a shoulder injury ruled her out of Wimbledon.

However, she claimed her first title since Melbourne in Cincinnati in the build-up to the US Open, and the fast New York courts suit her huge serve and devastating forehand.

She was runner-up in last year's tournament, going down to Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka has faced Navarro on two previous occasions - winning one and losing one.

The 26-year-old won their most recent encounter on the clay at the French Open in June but lost when they squared off on the hard court at Indian Wells in March.

Image source, Getty Images

It's crunch time in the women's singles draw at the US Open with a spot in Saturday's final up for grabs.

We've got you covered with both semi-finals tonight (this morning) with the potential of an all-American finale on the cards for the first time since 2017.

Emma Navarro features in the first semi against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka before Jessica Pegula takes on Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.

Navarro and Pegula are yet to reach the final of a Grand Slam - can they both achieve that feat for the first time on home soil?