Schedule / Preview 2024 DC Open Washington Day Six - Saturday 3 August with Sabalenka, Badosa, Tiafoe and Shelton in semi-final action

It is semi-finals day at the DC Open Washington (Mubadala Citi DC Open) with the finalists set to be confirmed on Saturday 3 August. Our preview looks ahead to the remaining matches before the finals are set.

It is a massively American theme in the men's and in the women's, a best friend final could yet be earmarked but with some spoilers to come for the mooted finalists.

Best friends off the court, Aryna Sabalenka could face Paula Badosa again in the final of the 2024 DC Open in Washington. A key cornerstone of Sabalenka's season in 2024 have been her clashes with Badosa as well for the Spaniard who has had a real resurgence during 2024 thus far.

They have played three times alone this year. Miami days after Sabalenka tragically lost her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov to suicide and cut a forlorn figure as Badosa was there for her every step of the way.

Then during Stuttgart where Badosa had to heartbreakingly retire after putting up a real fight in the opening two sets against the World No.2 at the time. But Sabalenka eased through in their last meeting at Roland Garros.

Albeit they do have to get through semi-finals first and Badosa who had to toil to take out Emma Raducanu will now face off against Caroline Dolehide. The American could prove to be the cork in the bottle. She has thus far defeated Lesia Tsurenko but then followed it up with wins over Daria Kasatkina and Amanda Anisimova with the latter in particular being emphatic.

Having not played Wimbledon, she was last seen in Eastbourne before that foray of the season so it has been a good return for Dolehide. While for Sabalenka after defeating Azarenka, it is Marie Bouzkova.

Bouzkova benefitted somewhat. It could've been another one of Sabalenka's close friends in the semi-finals in Ons Jabeur. Robin Montgomery was handed a spot in the Quarter-Finals after Jabeur had to withdraw due to injury so it enabled this Quarter-Final and Bouzkova took full advantage. But it will be one that Sabalenka will certainly like her chances in.

Then onto the men's with two ties worth watching in the semi-finals and either way we will get at least one American finalist for the home crowd to cheer.

With sell outs most of the week, fans in Washington have been getting their money's worth from their home hopes. Firstly Ben Shelton will return to the court after one of the most bizarre moments all year.

On match point, Denis Shapovalov got defaulted for swearing at a fan and throwing his racquet then swore at the supervisor as he left the court in a sheer tennis meltdown. Shelton likely would've won anyway. But an odd occurrence. While Cobolli took down Alex Michelsen in three sets and has toiled all week with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and David Goffin. Now Shelton awaits in a real fan friendly match-up.

As is Tiafoe v Korda. A 3-2 lead for the former, it is a confidence boosting week for 'Big Foe'. Deciding against playing the Olympic Games, same with Korda and Shelton, he instead was wanting to accrue ranking points as he sits on the slide.

He has helped his cause this week with his run. Also with new coach David Witt in tow, he has reached finals with both Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari in their first tournaments with him. Is Tiafoe next. He saw off Andrey Rublev last round in straight sets and now tackles Korda who defeated Jordan Thompson and has been winning away from the big court glare this week.

Asia Muhammad/Taylor Townsend (USA) v Jiang Xinyu/Wu Fang-Hsien (CHN) and (TPE)

Paula Badosa (WC) (ESP) v Caroline Dolehide (USA)

Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Marie Bouzkova (CZE)

Flavio Cobolli (10) (ITA) v Ben Shelton (2) (USA)

Frances Tiafoe (5) (USA) v Sebastian Korda (4) (USA)

Sadio Doumbia (FRA)/Hugo Nys (MON) (6) v Rafael Matos/Marcelo Melo (BRA) (8)