Jessica Pegula sets up US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka

Jessica Pegula overcame rusty form in the US Open semi-final to secure her place in the final. The home favorite, in a stunning display, scripted a comeback from a set and break down to ultimately beat Karolina Muchova. Pegula eventually handed a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 defeat to Muchova as she set herself up for a clash with Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final. The 2024 US Open final will mark Pegula’s maiden appearance in a Grand Slam final. Earlier, Pegula broke a streak of six quarter-final defeats as she edged past Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Jessica Pegula stages a stunning comeback in the semi-final to enter the US Open final

The semi-final match proved a hard-fought battle for Pegula, who looked poised to miss another chance at a Grand Slam final. Karolina Muchova pushed Pegula early on in the match. Marking a comeback after a 10-month long hiatus due to a wrist injury, Muchova didn’t seem to leave any space open for Pegula to score. Eventually, Pegula faced a 1-6 defeat in the first set, which lasted 28 minutes and featured the Czech opponent winning 30 of the 44 points.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, the World No. 6 ranked player expressed that the first set defeat brought her to the brink of tears. However, she noted that it was the small moments that eventually added up to pave her way to the finals. Moreover, Pegula talked about facing Aryna Sabalenka, who will be playing her second consecutive Grand Slam final.

"I thought I was lucky to still be in it," admitted Pegula after her win. "She made me look like a beginner; she was destroying me, and I was about to burst into tears, but it all came down to small moments. I don't know how I turned that around,” she further added. "It's a chance for revenge, but she'll be tough to beat," said Pegula about meeting Sabalenka in the US Open final.

While the clash against Aryna Sabalenka will be Pegula's first Grand Slam final, the American tennis star holds a record of 15 wins in her last 16 matches. For Sabalenka, meanwhile, the forthcoming US Open final will be her second consecutive appearance in the event. The Belarusian was defeated 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 by Coco Gauff last year, denying Sabalenka a chance to win her maiden US Open title.