Jessica Pegula reached the final at the 2024 US Open, ultimately finishing as runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka.
US Open 2025
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September
Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website & app
Jessica Pegula has expressed her surprise at feeling so comfortable during major Grand Slam matches, following her dominant victory over Barbora Krejcikova to secure a spot in the US Open semi-finals.
The American fourth seed defeated former world number two Krejcikova with a score of 6-3, 6-3, progressing to the semi-final stage where she is set to face either defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or Marketa Vondrousova.
Czech player Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, presented a significant challenge, having previously rallied from a set down and saved eight match points against Taylor Townsend in the preceding round.
However, Pegula delivered an impressive performance, maintaining her composure to reach the semi-finals in New York for the second consecutive year without dropping a set.
“I feel really comfortable. It’s crazy to feel this comfortable on the biggest court in the world with the craziest crowd and the best players,” she stated.
“Ten years ago I never thought I’d be good at this – but I guess I am.”
‘AI-generated’ Sinner races into US Open quarters
‘The moments I play tennis for’ – Osaka beats Gauff at US Open
Williams and Fernandez reach doubles last eight
Pegula capitalized on a sluggish start from Krejcikova to establish an early 3-0 lead, which included securing a break to love in the second game.
She asserted dominance in the baseline exchanges, consistently hitting deep groundstrokes to keep her opponent pinned at the back of the court, and frequently approached the net to disrupt Krejcikova’s rhythm.
Despite Krejcikova narrowing the gap to 4-3, she was hampered by an ineffective serving performance, with a double fault at 40-30 allowing Pegula to secure another break in the eighth game and subsequently close out the set.
Krejcikova’s struggles with her serve persisted into the second set – winning only 28% of points on her second serve in the opener – and a pair of double faults at the beginning of the set handed Pegula an early break.
Pegula experienced her own service challenges, relinquishing a double break lead in the sixth game as Krejcikova threatened an unexpected comeback.
However, Pegula maintained her composure, and Krejcikova’s seventh double fault of the afternoon presented match point – which Pegula seized at the first opportunity.
“I think I’ve been playing some really good tennis. I’ve been playing really solid and having good starts,” Pegula commented.
“She had a couple of really good returns when I was serving at 4-1 and we all saw what she did against Taylor, so I’m happy that we’re done.”
Live scores, results and order of play
Get tennis news sent straight to your phone