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Two billionaire daughters roll into the semifinals of the US Open

Top line

Jessica Pegula, the daughter of a billionaire American oil tycoon, continued her strong performance at the US Open, reaching the final of the Grand Slam tournament on Thursday, while the daughter of another American billionaire, Emma Navarro, saw her run end after losing in the semifinals.

Key data

Sixth-seeded Pegula made a brilliant comeback after a shaky start, defeating 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 in her semifinal match on Thursday.

After losing the first set 1-6, Pegula was 0-2 down in the second set before starting her comeback.

Pegula had reached the first Grand Slam semifinal of her career after defeating the tournament's number one seed and world number one Iga Swiatek in two sets (6:2, 6:4) the day before.

The 30-year-old tennis star is the daughter of Terry Pegula, who owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

In the other semifinal of the evening, 13th seeded American Emma Navarro lost 6-3, 7-6 (2) to world number two and participant in the 2024 Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka, from Belarus.

Navarro, 23, is the daughter of former Citigroup vice president Ben Navarro and reached the semifinals after defeating Spaniard Paula Badosa and third-seeded Coco Gauff in the previous rounds.

Pegula will face Sabalenka in the final on Sunday.

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Key quote

Speaking about her come-from-behind victory, Pegula said: “I came in feeling weak, but she played unbelievably… She was crushing me… I was just able to hold on to the match and find a way, find some adrenaline, find my legs again.” Pegula said the clash with Sabalenka will be a rematch of last month's Cincinnati Open final, which the Belarusian won in straight sets, adding: “Hopefully I can get some revenge here.”

tangent

At a press conference earlier this week, Pegula dismissed rumors about her lifestyle, which she described as “outrageous.” “People think I have a butler, I'm chauffeured. I have a private limousine, I fly everywhere privately. That's definitely not who I am.” She said people can think what they want, but she finds it funny when she reads such comments about her.

Important background

Pegula has been ranked as high as No. 3 in singles (with six titles) and No. 1 in doubles (seven titles), but has yet to win a Grand Slam title. Navarro, an NCAA singles champion, won her only tour title earlier this year in Australia and has reached her highest ranking of No. 12.

Chances of winning

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Sabalenka is the favorite to win the final with odds of -300. Pegula's odds, on the other hand, are +225.

Forbes Rating

Terry Pegula is an oil magnate whose net worth Forbes estimates at $7.7 billion. Ben Navarro, whose Sherman Financial Group owns Las Vegas-based bank Credit One, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion.

More information

ForbesThe highest paid tennis players in the world 2024From Brett KnightForbesThese billionaires' children are competing in the Olympics – here's when you can watchFrom Brian Bushard

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