2024-09-06 05:17:30
US Open
American Jessica Pegula reached her first Grand Slam final with a brilliant game. On Thursday (local time), the world’s sixth-ranked US Open player defeated Czech player Karolina Muchova 1:6 6:4 6:2. Pegula will challenge favorite Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final. Belarusian Sabalenka, ranked second in the world, defeated Emma Navarro 6:3 7:6 (7/2) in 90 minutes to reach the New York final like last year.
When she served, the 30-year-old Pegula was already trailing 1:6, 0:2 and 30:40. However, the world number six fought her way back to playing at a high level now, turning the tables and celebrating victory after 2 minutes and 12 seconds. “I wanted to cry. It was so embarrassing because she ruined it for me,” she said of the start of the match. “I don’t know how I turned it around.”
As in 2023, Sabalenka will face the American in the final. She lost to crowd favorite Coco Gauff in three sets at the time. The Belarusian reaches her fourth Grand Slam final; she has won the Australian Open twice so far.
In contrast to her final defeat a year ago, Sabalenka failed to impress the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd until shortly before the end of the match, most of whom were rooting for American outsider Navarro. At 5-4 in the second set, she served for the win, but she still started shaking. In the tie-break, Sabalenka showed her prowess and nerves, completing the victory with a convincing overhead kick.
“Incredible atmosphere”
“It’s a little late for you to cheer for me now,” she joked to the cheering fans after the victory. “I got goosebumps even though you were cheering them on, it was an unbelievable atmosphere. She played great and I’m happy to get through this tough semi-final.
U.S. Open in New York
Damen
Helen
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US Open 2024: Jessica Pegula Reaches First Grand Slam Final, Aryna Sabalenka Awaits
In an exhilarating semi-final match at the US Open 2024, American tennis star Jessica Pegula battled her way to her first Grand Slam final, defeating Czech player Karolina Muchova 1:6, 6:4, 6:2 on Thursday. Pegula’s impressive comeback will see her face favorite Aryna Sabalenka in the final on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Pegula trailed 1:6, 0:2, and 30:40 in the second set, but she regrouped and turned the tables, eventually celebrating victory after 2 minutes and 12 seconds. “I wanted to cry. It was so embarrassing because she ruined it for me,” Pegula said of the start of the match. “I don’t know how I turned it around.”
Meanwhile, world number two Aryna Sabalen
