LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three years ago, Joel Hernandez built a small wooden shack under the 405 freeway cutting through Los Angeles.
He had the help of a friend who lives in his own shack, just a few steps down the stairs he painstakingly dug out of the dirt hillside and reinforced with wooden planks.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three years ago, Joel Hernandez built a small wooden shack under the 405 freeway cutting through Los Angeles.
Homeless woman Courtney Debarge pulls a shopping cart at a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Tents and objects accumulate at a homeless encampment on the side of the CA-105 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A commuter drives past a homeless encampment on the side of the CA-105 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A commuter drives past a homeless encampment on the side of the CA-105 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless encampment sits set up next to an off-ramp to the CA-105 freeway Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Ruben Rodriguez with Hope the Mission gives gives water to a homeless man in a wheelchair near the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Joel Hernandez, 62, walks up to his makeshift home under the 405 Freeway after receiving water from outreach Hope the Mission in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles, on Friday, July 26, 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Homeless man Joel Hernandez, 62, stands next to his makeshift home under the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A homeless man rides his bike past someones bedding at a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Suffering from homelessness Esca Guernon fixes her tent that's set up at an encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Esca Guernon enters her tent at a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Workers with Hope the Mission walk past a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Armando Covarrubias a Program Manager with Hope the Mission visits a homeless encampment under the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A homeless encampment is set up along the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A homeless encampment is set up next to an off-ramp to the CA-105 freeway in Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless woman sits on the street at the entrance to an off-ramp to the CA-105 freeway next to a homeless encampment Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless encampment sits next to the CA-110 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless encampment sits across the street of a newly built apartment building being offered for leasing near the CA-110 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A fully furnished doll house sits abandoned next to a homeless encampment next to the CA-110 freeway in Los Angeles Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Hernandez has had similar homes be cleared in homeless encampment sweeps by state or city authorities over the years, so the 62-year-old is taking in stride that his days in his makeshift shelter on state-owned land might be numbered. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday issued an executive order directing state agencies to start clearing homeless encampments on state land, including lots under freeways.
“You get used to it,” Hernandez said. “I have to rebuild it every time.”
Many people living in these encampments echoed a similar sentiment of quiet resignation. Some simply wonder: Where else is there to go?
The order comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this summer allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces, even if there are no shelter beds available.
Newsom's order directs state agencies to act soon and follow the lead of the California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, which has removed 11,188 encampments and more than 248,000 cubic yards (189,600 cubic meters) of debris from these encampments along the state rights of way, mostly freeways and highways, since July 2021. Caltrans oversees much of the land under and near the state’s freeways and highways.
But most of the time, the people living in those encampments return after officials leave.
“I haven't found a better place,” said Hernandez, who has been on the waiting list for a shelter for three years. At least in this spot, he lives close to his friends and gets along with most of the people in the encampment, Hernandez said.
Hernandez and others admit it is not the safest place to live. A recent fire destroyed many of the shelters in the underpass, leaving the underside of the highway blackened and the area scattered with burnt trash, a broken grill, abandoned shopping carts and more.
Esca Guernon lives next to the freeway further away from the underpass with her dog, Champion. Sometimes people disturb her tent while she is sleeping or steal her belongings. But she always comes back after an encampment sweep.
“We have to take what we have, like our bikes or something, and we go over there for them to clean up,” said Guernon, pointing across the street. “I come back, because I don't know where to go.”
On Friday, an outreach team from Hope the Mission of Van Nuys, California, handed out cold bottles of water and snacks to Guernon and her friend. They will come back in a few days to begin the intake process and get them on the waiting list for a shelter.
“For us we're just building our rapport with them,” said Armando Covarrubias, an outreach team leader with the organization. It can take repeated visits for someone to accept their offer of help, he said.
Covarrubias said Newsom's executive order does nothing to reduce the population of homeless people, many who have to remain outside while waiting for a shelter bed.
“It's not a solution. It's not fair for them,” Covarrubias said. “This just puts more stress on them.”
Newsom and supporters of his order, including many businesses, say the encampments cannot be left to exist because they pose health and safety issues both for homeless people and residents who live nearby.
His executive order is about "getting the sense of urgency that’s required of local government to do their job,” Newsom said.
Peer Specialist with Hope the Mission Bryan Prieto carries water to hand out at a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles, Friday, July 26, 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Homeless woman Courtney Debarge pulls a shopping cart at a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Tents and objects accumulate at a homeless encampment on the side of the CA-105 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A commuter drives past a homeless encampment on the side of the CA-105 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A commuter drives past a homeless encampment on the side of the CA-105 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless encampment sits set up next to an off-ramp to the CA-105 freeway Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Ruben Rodriguez with Hope the Mission gives gives water to a homeless man in a wheelchair near the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Joel Hernandez, 62, walks up to his makeshift home under the 405 Freeway after receiving water from outreach Hope the Mission in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles, on Friday, July 26, 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Homeless man Joel Hernandez, 62, stands next to his makeshift home under the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A homeless man rides his bike past someones bedding at a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Suffering from homelessness Esca Guernon fixes her tent that's set up at an encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Esca Guernon enters her tent at a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Workers with Hope the Mission walk past a homeless encampment next to the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Armando Covarrubias a Program Manager with Hope the Mission visits a homeless encampment under the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A homeless encampment is set up along the 405 Freeway in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order directing state agencies "to move urgently to address dangerous" homeless encampments and clear them from state land while giving city and local leaders a push to do the same. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A homeless encampment is set up next to an off-ramp to the CA-105 freeway in Los Angeles on Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless woman sits on the street at the entrance to an off-ramp to the CA-105 freeway next to a homeless encampment Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless encampment sits next to the CA-110 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A homeless encampment sits across the street of a newly built apartment building being offered for leasing near the CA-110 freeway on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A fully furnished doll house sits abandoned next to a homeless encampment next to the CA-110 freeway in Los Angeles Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka left the U.S. Open in tears 12 months ago as the runner-up. She exited in the semifinals each of the two years before that. This time, Sabalenka was in a joking mood after winning her first championship at Flushing Meadows and the third Grand Slam title of her career.
Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, got past No. 6 Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollicking final under a closed retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, adding this triumph to the two she earned at the Australian Open each of the past two seasons, also on hard courts.
“So many times, I thought I was so close to get a U.S. Open title. It’s been a dream of mine. Finally, I got this beautiful trophy. It means a lot,” said Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, who is on a 12-match winning streak.
“I remember," she said, "all those tough losses in the past here.”
That includes in the semifinals in both 2021, against Leylah Fernandez, and 2022, against No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Most poignant, of course, was last year, when Sabalenka was rattled by the Ashe crowd, blew a set advantage and was defeated by Coco Gauff. Like Gauff, Pegula is an American, but the spectators were far more generous toward Sabalenka on Saturday, applauding her best efforts and even obliging when she waved her arms to ask for extra noise.
Afterward, Sabalenka thanked the fans for cheering for her — which probably (wink, wink) was unrelated to her kidding offer of “Drinks on me” after an earlier victory.
Pegula, a native New Yorker whose parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, was participating in a major final for the first time at age 30. She’s won 15 of her past 17 matches over the past month; both losses came against Sabalenka.
“I know how tough it is to lose in the final, but you’re showing some amazing tennis, and I’m more than sure that one day, you’re going to get one,” Sabalenka told Pegula during the on-court ceremony, then paused and added with a chuckle: “I mean, not (just) one. Maybe more. But let’s start from one Grand Slam.”
To Pegula's credit, she did not fold after Sabalenka reeled off five consecutive games to grab the opening set and move ahead 3-0 in the second. In the next game, Pegula dropped a point and showed her frustration by whacking a ball off the video wall behind the baseline, dislodging a little square panel.
Maybe that released some tension, because suddenly Pegula asserted herself, using her own five-game run to go up 5-3. But when she served at 5-4 with a chance to force a third set, Pegula let Sabalenka level the second with a break.
“Was able to find some good tennis, just wasn’t quite able to sustain it,” Pegula said. “She played some big tennis in big moments.”
Indeed, that began a three-game surge for Sabalenka, who soon was collapsing to the court, dropping her racket and covering her face with both arms.
“Everyone is like, ‘Congrats! Amazing tournament!’” Pegula said. “I’m like, ‘Eh, whatever.’”
Sabalenka is as demonstrative as anyone, her body language usually a spot-on barometer of whether things are going well — or not — for her. But as she sputtered at the start Saturday, it was tough to read what she was thinking against Pegula, who eliminated Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
Even while down an early break and being a point from trailing 3-1, Sabalenka reacted to mistakes by calmly turning her back and taking deep breathing as star athletes from other sports such as Stephen Curry, Lewis Hamilton and Noah Lyles looked on from the stands.
Once Sabalenka got going, once her booming strokes — her forehands were the fastest of the past two weeks, speedier than any woman’s or man’s — were calibrated just so, it became apparent the outcome would be determined by what she did.
By the close, the statistics made that obvious: Sabalenka finished with far more winners than Pegula, 40-17, and also more unforced errors, 34-22. Sabalenka controlled most exchanges, with Pegula mainly stuck responding as best she could.
“She’s super powerful. Goes for her shots. She’s definitely not going to give you anything,” Pegula said. “I was happy I was able to fight back and give myself a chance, but in the end it wasn’t enough.”
There was one moment of clear anger from Sabalenka. It came at 5-all in the first set, when she double-faulted to face a break point, then leaned forward and cracked her racket against the court four times while holding the handle with both fists.
Seemed to work. She saved that break point, wound up taking that game, then broke Pegula to own the opening set.
A year ago, Sabalenka blew that lead against Gauff. The year before, Sabalenka blew that lead against Swiatek.
Didn't let it happen again.
“In that second set, honestly, I was just praying there,” said Sabalenka, who collected a $3.6 million winner's check. “I was literally standing there and praying.”
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, records images after defeating Jessica Pegula, of the United States, in the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, left, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, wait for the start of the trophy ceremony after Sabalenka defeated Pegula in the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Billie Jean King poses with Jessica Pegula, left, of the United States, and Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, following the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. Sabalenka won the match (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, poses for photos with the championship trophy after defeating Jessica Pegula, of the United States, in the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, can't catch up with a shot from Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, wait for the start of the trophy ceremony after Sabalenka won the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, kisses the championship trophy after defeating Jessica Pegula, of the United States, in the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after defeating Jessica Pegula, of the United States, to win the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after defeating Jessica Pegula, of the United States, to win the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
CORRECTS SPELLING OF LAST NAME TO BLOOMBERG, NOT BLOOMBURG - Michael Bloomberg and partner Diana Taylor, left, watch the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships between Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Tina Fey watches the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships between Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lewis Hamilton and Anna Wintour watch the women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, can't catch up with a shot from Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, reacts after scoring a point against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts in the second set against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, kicks the ball after double faulting Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Flavor Flav arrives for the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships between Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Billie Jean King, center, her wife Ilana Kloss and USTA president Brian Hainline, arrives for the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships between Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
CORRECTS SPELLING OF FIRST NAME TO STEPHEN, NOT SPETH, ADDS WIFE's NAME - Stephen Curry, center, and his wife Ayesha Curry arrive for the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships between Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, cools off with an ice pack between games against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, reaches for a shot by Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts in the first set against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, reacts in the second set against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after scoring a point against Emma Navarro, of the United States, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, reacts after defeating Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, during the women's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)