Current:Home > MyJessica Pegula comes back in wild three-setter to advance to US Open final -DataFinance
Jessica Pegula comes back in wild three-setter to advance to US Open final
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:34:35
With a chance at reaching the U.S. Open final seemingly slipping away, Jessica Pegula muttered to herself about how poorly she was playing.
The only good news was that things couldn’t get any worse.
Facing the prospect of a quick and embarrassing defeat in the biggest match of her career, the 30-year-old American found her game just in time and ultimately overwhelmed Karolina Muchova, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The win gives Pegula, the No. 6 seed, an opportunity to play for her first Grand Slam title Saturday against No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka.
''I came out flat. She made me look like a beginner,'' Pegula said on ESPN. "I was about to burst into tears. She was destroying me and I was able to find a way, find some adrenaline, find my legs and then I started to play how I wanted to play. It took awhile, but I don't know how I turned that around honestly."
One night after taking down top-ranked Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals, Pegula looked like a completely different player early on against Muchova. Struggling with her opponent’s backhand slice and net rushing tactics, Pegula lost seven games in a row and was in danger of going down 3-0 in the second set.
MORE:Aryna Sabalenka overpowers Emma Navarro to advance to U.S. Open final again
But after Muchova failed to convert on a second break of serve — missing a fairly routine stretch volley on break point — momentum completely shifted.
''I was thinking, alright that was kind of lucky. You’re still in this. And it comes down to small moments that flip momentum,'' Pegula said.
Not only did Muchova’s level drop, Pegula started to dig in with defense. Then, once she hit her normal rhythm, she started to control points with her clean, flat ball striking and prevent Muchova’s all-court game from imposing itself like it had in the first set.
Once she settled into the match, Pegula was unstoppable and grabbed the lead right away in the third set. Pegula was particularly dominant on return, winning 12 of 15 points in the second set when she got a look at a second serve. She only made a combined 13 unforced errors in the final two sets.
Pegula had never advanced this far at a Grand Slam, losing six times in the quarterfinals over the past four years. After struggling early in 2024, changing coaches and then sitting out the European clay season with a rib injury, this didn't seem a likely year to break through.
But Pegula caught fire when the North American hard court swing began, winning the Canadian Open and getting to the finals in Cincinnati where she lost 6-3, 7-5 to Sabalenka. It’s Pegula's only loss in her last 16 matches.
Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 5-2.
Follow Dan Wolken on social media @DanWolken
veryGood! (38)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Why Simone Biles is leaving the door open to compete at 2028 Olympics: 'Never say never'
- Minnesota Settles ‘Deceptive Environmental Marketing’ Lawsuit Over ‘Recycling’ Plastic Bags
- How Team USA's Daniela Moroz can put a bow on her parents' American dream
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- 1 of 3 killed in Nevada prison brawl was white supremacist gang member who killed an inmate in 2016
- Netherlands' Femke Bol steals 4x400 mixed relay win from Team USA in Paris Olympics
- Sha’Carri Richardson overcomes sluggish start to make 100-meter final at Paris Olympics
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Watch these Oklahoma Police officers respond to a horse stuck in a swimming pool
Ranking
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Federal judge rules that Florida’s transgender health care ban discriminates against state employees
- Bird ignites fire in Colorado after it hits power lines, gets electrocuted: 'It happens'
- Sept. 11 families group leader cheers restoration of death penalty option in 9-11 prosecutions
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Third set of remains found with gunshot wound in search for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre graves
- NHL Hall of Famer Hašek says owners should ban Russian athletes during speech in Paris
- Intel shares slump 26% as turnaround struggle deepens
Recommendation
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
2024 Olympics: Simone Biles Edges Out Rebeca Andrade for Gold in Women's Vault
Ticketmaster posts additional Eras Tour show in Toronto, quickly takes it down
USA Basketball vs. Puerto Rico highlights: US cruises into quarterfinals with big win
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
Caeleb Dressel isn't the same swimmer he was in Tokyo but has embraced a new perspective
2024 Olympics: Gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik win Bronze in Pommel Horse Final
Is Sha'Carri Richardson running today? Olympics track and field schedule, times for Aug. 3