US Open: Jessica Pegula sets up title clash with Sabalenka in her maiden final
Jessica Pegula advanced to US Open 2024 final as she beat Karolina Muchova at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, September 6.
The American made a remarkable comeback after being one set down in the match to beat her Czech rival by 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. Muchova was all over Pegula and completely dominated her in front of the packed home crowd in the first set
The American, who was playing her first-ever semi-final at a Grand Slam, seemed nervous to live up to the crowd’s expectations as she gave two break points in the opening set. As a result, Muchova sealed the set by 6-1 and continued her momentum in the second set as well by winning the first two games.
Seeing Pegula down and out losing seven games in a row, the crowd rallied behind the local girl motivating her to bounce back from the lows and make a roaring comeback. The 30-year-old responded brilliantly and went on to win four games in a row with the help of two break points to claw her way back into the match.
Having finally found her momentum, Pegula was able to put pressure on Muchova who ended up losing the second set by 4-6 with a double fault. With one set each to their names, the match headed towards an exciting finish with both players not willing to give an inch to each other as a place in a maiden US Open final was on the line.
Jessica to face Sabalenka in the final
Pegula continued with her new-found confidence having massive support from the crowd and broke Muchova again in the third set to take a 3-0 lead. Muchova, who seemed to be struggling with some back issues, was not willing to give up quickly as she also fought back by winning her first game after losing five in a row.
However, Pegula eventually closed out the set by 6-2 despite some good fight by her Czech rival and entered her maiden Grand Slam final. The American had the support of her entire family in the stadium who cheered her from the sidelines as she now finds herself a step closer to winning the elusive Grand Slam title.
She will be up against Aryna Sabalenka in the title clash, who beat Emma Navarro in an intense tie-breaker match earlier in the day.