Jessica Pegula and Serena Williams at the US Open
(L-R) Jessica Pegula and Serena Williams at the US Open
Jessica Pegula reached her first-ever Grand Slam final after her dramatic semi-final comeback win over Karolina Muchova at the 2024 US Open.
The American recovered from losing eight of the first nine games of the last four showdown to defeat Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 after a pulsating two hours and 13 minutes in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Pegula is making her 23rd Grand Slam main draw appearance and she had not previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals, having fallen at the last eight stage on six occasions.
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The 30-year-old will face two-time Australian Open winner and world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
In her on-court interview, Pegula looked ahead to what will be a rematch of last month’s Cincinnati Open final, which Sabalenka won 6-3, 7-5.
“I mean she showed how tough she is, and why she’s probably the favourite to win this tournament,” said the world No 6.
“It’ll be a rematch of Cincinnati, so hopefully I can get some revenge out here. But I am happy to have a day off. It’s kind of crazy that we’re playing each other again in the finals.”
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US Open News
Jessica Pegula secures major WTA Rankings boost as she makes history by reaching maiden Slam final at US Open
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Here are three impressive statistics after Pegula reached her first major singles final.
Fourth woman to reach Canada, Cincinnati and US Open finals in same year
Pegula has become just the fourth woman in the Open Era to reach the finals at the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open and the US Open in the same season.
Before her run to the US Open final, the American defeated Amanda Anisimova to secure the title in Toronto and was a runner-up to Sabalenka in Cincinnati.
Rosemary Casals (1970), Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1973) and Serena Williams (2013) are the only other players to feature in all three of these North American finals in women’s singles in the same year. No woman has won all three titles in a single season.
Third woman to win a US Open semi-final after losing the first set 6-1
Pegula’s comeback victory against Muchova makes her only the third woman in the Open Era to win a US Open singles semi-final after losing the first set 6-1 (not including retirements).
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Svetlana Kuznetsova was the first to achieve the feat with her 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 last four triumph over Lindsay Davenport in the 2004 US Open.
Victoria Azarenka accomplished this in 2020 when she earned a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 win against Serena Williams in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Oldest American woman to reach a maiden major final
At the age of 30 years and 193 days, Pegula is the oldest American woman to reach a maiden Grand Slam singles title match in the Open Era.
Italy’s Flavia Pennetta is the oldest first-time women’s singles major finalist and champion in the Open Era courtesy of her run to the 2015 US Open title at the age of 33 years and 199 days.
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READ NEXT: WTA Rankings Winners & Losers US Open: Coco Gauff -3, Emma Navarro cracks top 10, Paula Badosa +9, Iva Jovic +101
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