The second US Open semifinal of the evening was incredible. It had so many momentum shifts that fans did not know what to expect. Karolina Muchova, coming off a 9-month layoff from wrist surgery, gave it everything she had, but Jessica Pegula pulled out the biggest win of her career.
Pegula will face Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final on Saturday. The two played each other in the Cincinnati Open final two weeks ago. Sabalenka was the victor in straight sets. How will Saturday’s match unfold?
First Set Was A Machova Masterpiece
Jessica Pegula came out looking flat and Karolina Muchova could do no wrong. She was hitting amazing shots and won her first eight net points. Pegula had a small opening in the third game of the match. She had three break points on Muchova’s serve. Unable to convert, Muchova marched on and took the first set in about 30 minutes. Pegula was visibly frustrated. She said after the match she was embarrassed by her play in the first set. The final score was 6-1 Muchova.
Second Set Was Jessica Pegula’s Comeback
Pegula started to work her way into it in the second set. Muchova missed an easy volley that would have taken her to a 3-0 lead in the second set. It was not to be so Pegula ran away with the second set. Muchova committed more errors and Pegula was more attuned with the pace of Muchova’s ball. Pegula started to use her legs to extend rallies and make the match more physical.
Muchova was seen breathing heavily and occasionally touching the left side of her back. She stretched her back at one point while sitting in her chair. Her lack of match play because of the wrist surgery hurt her chances. She has only been back on the WTA Tour for a month and Muchova also had a stomach bug at the US Open which probably sapped her energy.
Third Set: Pegula Played The Big Points Better
The third set saw both women playing a high level of tennis. Muchova was not as perfect as she was in the first set. However, she made good shots. Pegula broke her serve early in the set. It was not smooth sailing as Muchova challenged Pegula on her service games. Pegula kept her nerve and her serve.
Jessica Pegula’s Family Was There To Celebrate With Her
Pegula looked elated and relieved to get through this match. Her father, Terry Pegula, Buffalo Bills and Sabres owner, was in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Her sister, brother, brother-in-law, and husband were also there. Jessie’s mother, Kim Pegula who suffered a cardiac arrest in 2022, was watching from home.
Everyone was thrilled for her. Before Wednesday’s win over Iga Swiatek, she was 0-6 in Grand Slam quarterfinals. She is now 1-0 in Grand Slam semifinals. At 30 years of age, she is a late bloomer who dealt with many injuries in her younger years. With her New York roots, fans will be cheering for her heavily on Saturday.
Sabalenka Is The Favorite
Despite Pegula’s competitiveness in this semifinal, Aryna Sabalenka remains the favorite to win the 2024 US Open. She was the runner-up last year to Coco Gauff. She is the best hardcourt player in the world. Sabalenka has the experience of being in three Grand Slam finals and winning two of them.
Jessica Pegula is having a phenomenal summer, and only Sabalenka has played better than she has. Could Jessica Pegula win this tournament in front of the home crowd giving American fans another women’s champion in 2024?
Pegula will be ready for it, and her former doubles partner and good friend Coco Gauff who made magic in New York in 2023 by winning her maiden Grand Slam will be cheering for her compatriot. And so will we.
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