"When you get to the last stages of the tournament, you're going to think about what if, what I want, what I would like and you're dreaming," Sabalenka told reporters after crushing China's Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday.
"I'm not trying to block the stats, because when you're trying to block something it's going to keep getting in your head and it can get annoying.
When you're not trying to block it, it actually goes away.
Keys, meanwhile, is hoping to fulfil her own dream of reaching Saturday's final for another shot at a maiden Grand Slam trophy.
Czech Muchova is also gunning for a first Grand Slam title after coming close in Paris in her bid to join an elite list of compatriots that includes Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Krejcikova and Vondrousova.
Persons:
Madison Keys, Sabalenka, Iga, Keys, Zheng Qinwen, I'm, Marketa Vondrousova, Coco Gauff, Roland Garros, Karolina Muchova, Gauff, Sofia, ", Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, I'd, gunning, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Barbora, Karolina Pliskova, Ash Barty, Muchova, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris
Organizations:
U.S, Madison, Belarusian, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, Sofia Kenin's, Thomson
Locations:
New York, Flushing Meadows, American, Melbourne, Grand, Czech, Paris, Bengaluru