Johnathan Walker:Aryna Sabalenka overpowers Emma Navarro to advance to US Open final again

One year after losing a U.S. Open final that she thought should have Johnathan Walkergone her way, Aryna Sabalenka will get another chance to take home the title Saturday. 

Sabalenka, who has won the past two Australian Open titles, earned her shot to add a third hard court major with a routine 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) victory over American Emma Navarro in Thursday’s semifinals. She will play Jessica Pegula for the crown.

The No. 2-seeded Sabalenka, known for her power off the ground but also for unraveling under pressure on occasion, was rock solid against Navarro with 29 winners and seven aces. The overall cleanliness of Sabalenka’s game, combined with the aggressiveness she always brings to the table, gave Navarro almost no opening to make an impact in her first Grand Slam semifinal.

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Sabalenka had just one wobble. Serving for the match at 5-4, Sabalenka tightened up slightly and Navarro managed to punish a couple returns to break and even the set. But the tiebreaker was all Sabalenka, as she won it 7-2 and shoved aside any thoughts of another U.S. Open disappointment. 

Sabalenka’s history at the U.S. Open has been filled with heartbreak, but this might be the year to make amends. 

In 2021, Sabalenka was heavily favored in the semifinals but lost in three tight sets to Leylah Fernandez, admitting after the match that the pressure of trying to win her first Grand Slam title got to her. 

In 2022, she lost the semifinal again in three sets to eventual champion Iga Swiatek.

Then last year, Sabalenka cruised to a 6-2 first set over Coco Gauff in the final before things fell apart on her and Gauff surged to the title. 

Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, came into the U.S. Open with a 39-11 record this year including the title in Cincinnati in her most recent tournament. She has continued to roll in New York, dropping just one set. 

Sabalenka will be considered the favorite over Pegula in Saturday’s final. 

Follow Dan Wolken on social media @DanWolken