American women make history at the US Open

In 1981, Ronald Reagan began his tenure as president, Donkey King invaded arcades and Raiders of the Lost Ark was the year’s hottest film. In the US Open semifinals, four American women squared off–a feat that would not be repeated until 2017.

On Thursday night, Sloane Stephens will face Venus Williams, and CoCo Vandeweghe will take on Madison Keys.

All four women have previously made a semifinal, or multiple in the case of Venus Williams.

The trio have done their job representing the stars and stripes since Serena Williams's absence. The new mom has not played since winning the Australian Open.

The winning quartet is led by 37-year-old Venus Williams who has played in two major finals this year, nine years after last winning Wimbledon. Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena's coach, shared his admiration for the elder Williams sister.

She needed a third-set tiebreak to oust two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals.

Then there's the astonishing comeback of 2013 Australian Open semifinalist Stephens. After 10 months away with a foot injury, she looks better than ever this past month.

She, too, played a third-set tiebreak on Tuesday to advance.

Vandeweghe reached her first semifinal in Melbourne this year, and she pulled off the biggest upset in knocking Karolina Pliskova out of the No. 1 spot. The 25-year-old Vandeweghe has shown off improved net play and a more focused mindset, thanks in part to new coach Pat Cash.

“You will have to ask him how he's been able to do that,” Vandeweghe told TENNIS.com. “I don't really know. Maybe it's like some Jedi mind trick.”

Meanwhile, Keys is in position to win her first major. The 22-year-old has got the strongest blend of youth, power and growing experience to control her own destiny. Despite the great opportunity ahead of her, she’s pleased with the success of her friends.

In early 1980s, American women filled all four semifinal slots at five majors, and now, America is back.