Jessica Pegula comes back to win in 3 sets, advancing to US Open final

In a thrilling contest at the US Open on Thursday night, Jessica Pegula faced a challenging start in her first Grand Slam semifinal against Karolina Muchova. Muchova, displaying her talent and skill, initially dominated the match, leaving Pegula to grapple with an incredibly slow beginning.

“I came out flat, but she was playing unbelievable,” Pegula admitted. “She made me look like a beginner. I was about to burst into tears because it was embarrassing. She was destroying me.”

However, Pegula managed to regroup, recovering from a set and a break down to secure a remarkable comeback victory. She won the match with scores of 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, advancing her to the finals at Flushing Meadows. This latest win adds to Pegula’s impressive record of winning 15 out of her last 16 matches.

Pegula, the No. 6 seed and a 30-year-old native of New York, is set to face No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the title match on Saturday. This clash will be a rematch of the recent Cincinnati Open final, where Sabalenka handed Pegula her only loss post-Olympics.

“Hopefully,” Pegula remarked, “I can get some revenge out here.”

The atmosphere during the match was electric, as Pegula’s family watched from the stands, including her father, who is an owner of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Her brother, sister, and husband were also present to support her.

Initially, Pegula’s performance faltered on that cool evening, with Muchova, who was unseeded after a lengthy recovery from wrist surgery, showcasing her versatility and creativity. Muchova’s ability to slice, volley, and execute serve-and-volley strategies made her a formidable opponent. In fact, ten of the first twelve winners of the match came from her racket, and she took just 28 minutes to claim the first set, winning 30 out of 44 points.

After a string of losses, Pegula found herself struggling, as Muchova surged ahead by winning eight of the first nine games. The situation changed, however, when Muchova couldn’t convert a break chance to extend her lead. Pegula seized the opportunity, thinking, “All right. That was kind of lucky. You’re still in this,” as she focused on the small moments that could shift the momentum of the match.

Almost immediately, Muchova’s earlier precision began to wane, and Pegula found her rhythm. With her coaches’ guidance, she adjusted her serving strategy and targeted Muchova’s backhand, which led to a transformation in her performance. “She was everywhere,” Muchova noted. “She started to play way better.”

Pegula displayed the confidence that had helped her defeat top-seeded Iga Swiatek in their previous match. After struggling early on, she found her footing, winning nine out of the next eleven games, overturning the second set’s deficit and charging to a 3-0 lead in the third set.

“I was able to find a way, find some adrenaline, find my legs. And then at the end of the second set, into the third set, I started to play like how I wanted to play,” Pegula reflected. “It took a while, but I don’t know how I turned that around.”

For Muchova, the loss was frustrating after she had won every set in the tournament leading up to this match. Her performance declined as she went from a 7-for-7 success rate at the net during the first set to a less impressive 15-for-19 thereafter. The transition from her initial skill to a string of unforced errors—totaling 33 across the second and third sets—marked a significant shift in the match dynamics.

The atmosphere in Arthur Ashe Stadium reflected the transformation as well. What began as a quiet crowd became a raucous support for Pegula, evidenced by chants of encouragement filling the arena.

Pegula’s victory has historical significance, as it will ensure that both the men’s and women’s finals at this US Open feature American players for the first time since 2009 at Wimbledon. Previously, in 2002 at the US Open, American legends Serena Williams and Pete Sampras claimed their respective titles against fellow Americans.

Source: ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press