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    • Two billionaire daughters reach US Open semifinals
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    Two billionaire daughters reach US Open semifinals

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    Topline

    Jessica Pegula, the daughter of an American oil billionaire, continued her strong performance at the US Open by reaching the final of the Grand Slam tournament on Thursday, while the daughter of another American billionaire, Emma Navarro, ended her run after losing in the semi-finals.

    Key Facts

    Sixth-seeded Pegula made a great comeback after a difficult start and defeated Czech Republic 2023 Roland Garros finalist Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 in her semi-final on Thursday.

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

    Pegula had reached the first Grand Slam semifinal of her career after beating tournament number one and world number one Iga Swiatek in three sets the day before (6-2, 6-4).

    The 30-year-old tennis player is the daughter of Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres.

    In the evening’s other semi-final, American Emma Navarro, seeded 13th, lost 6-3, 7-6 (2) to world number two and 2024 Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

    The 23-year-old Navarro, the daughter of former Citigroup vice-chairman Ben Navarro, reached the semi-finals after beating Spain’s Paula Badosa and third-seeded Coco Gauff in earlier rounds.

    Pegula will face Sabalenka in the final on Sunday.

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    Crucial quote

    Pegula said of her come-from-back victory: “I started off poorly, but she played unbelievable… She destroyed me… I just held on to that match and I found a way, found some adrenaline, found my legs.” Pegula said the clash against 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 pushed back against what she described as “scandalous” rumors about her lifestyle. “People think I have a butler, that I get chauffeured around. I have a private limousine, that I fly everywhere privately. I’m absolutely not like that.” She said people are entitled to think whatever they want, but she finds it funny when she reads such comments about her.

    Main background

    Pegula is ranked No. 3 in singles (six titles won) 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 a ranking high of No. 12.

    Chances of winning

    Sabalenka is the favorite to win the final at odds of -300, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, while Pegula’s odds to win are +225.

    Forbes rating

    Terry Pegula is an oil magnate who has a net worth of $7.7 billion, according to Forbes. Ben Navarro, whose Sherman Financial Group owns Las Vegas-based lender Credit One, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion.

    Read more

    ForbesThe World’s Highest Paid Tennis Players 2024By means of Brett KnightForbesThese Billionaires’ Kids Are Competing in the Olympics: Here’s When to WatchBy means of Brian Bushard

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