And now the only obstacles to Serena Williams completing a calendar Grand Slam are players all seeking a first major title.
Halep reached her first US Open semi-final Wednesday by defeating two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
"I don't know where I found the power to win this match," Halep said. "I'm really happy because I really wanted to go to my first semi-final here."
Italy's 26th-ranked Pennetta upset Czech fifth seed Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon winner, by 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the first quarter-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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Pennetta has a 3-1 career edge in matches against Halep.
"I know I have to fight for every ball, to play every ball like the last one," Halep said of playing Pennetta. "I know she is a tough player but I can be strong one more day."
Thursday's other semi-final pits Williams against 43rd-ranked Italian Roberta Vinci, who has not won a set in four matches against the 33-year-old American superstar.
Williams, seeking her seventh US Open crown, has a head-to-head edge on her possible finals foes -- 7-0 over Pennetta and 6-1 over Halep.
Azarenka, who lost to Williams in the 2012 and 2013 US Open finals, made 42 unforced errors to only 19 by Halep and the 20th seed from Belarus had 38 winners, two fewer than Halep.
Azarenka, 26, beat Halep, 23, twice in 2012 in their only prior matchups but Halep has won three titles this year while Azarenka has been nagged by a thigh injury.