Jessica Pegula vs Emma Navarro Prediction U.S. Open - New York · Sep 9, 2026

Analysis

This is an all-American quarter-final between two of the most disciplined baseline players in the draw, and the styles overlap almost perfectly. Pegula arrives having handled Sorana Cirstea 2-0 on 7 September, a clean, economical win that leaves her fresh for a physical assignment. Navarro has been on court more, beating Karolina Muchova 2-0 on 4 September after back-to-back 2-1 wins over Lois Boisson, so she has both rhythm and proof that she can grind through a third set. Pegula's edge is her first-strike return and the flatter, earlier ball she takes off the hard court, which is the shot that breaks up Navarro's otherwise excellent defensive geometry. Navarro's counter is depth and patience: if she can extend rallies and drag Pegula into long changes of direction, sets get tight and the match stretches. Slight lean to Pegula, but a set for Navarro looks likely given how evenly the ball-striking matches up.