Jessica Pegula has booked her place in the semifinals of the China Open after completing a comeback win against Emma Navarro.
Pegula conceded the first set to her American compatriot narrowly in a tiebreak, but fought back in dominant fashion to clinch the victory, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1.
The world number seven, who entered the match with a 1-47 record after going a set down against top-20 players in tour-level matches, claimed just her second such comeback triumph against Navarro.
With two wins now separating Pegula and her fourth singles title of 2025, she will go toe-to-toe with a ‘dangerous’ opponent in the final four.
Jessica Pegula looks ahead to her semifinals match in Beijing
Reacting to her win at the China Open in her on-court interview, she said: “I felt like I was playing the right way to win the first set, so I told myself not to get too frustrated and stay calm.
“Almost relax a little bit and not try as hard to execute the game plan. That allowed me to play a bit more free.”
Pegula will play Linda Noskova in the semifinals of the WTA 1000 tournament, whom she has faced twice before.
“I played her a couple of times, and every match has been super, super close,” said the US star.
- Dubai Tennis Championships 2025: Noskova beats Pegula, 6-3, 7-6
- Bad Homburg 2025: Pegula beats Noskova, 6-7, 7-5, 6-1
“I feel she is such a dangerous and powerful player when she can work her way into tournaments. She can really take the racket out of your hand.
“She serves big, so it’s going to be really tough. I’m going to do my best to look at the last few times and what I have done when I have played her, but it’s going to be a tough match.”
Anne Keothavong pinpoints the difference Jessica Pegula made
Analysing the match on Sky Sports, former British tennis player Anne Keothavong said: “That’s a huge smile from Jessica Pegula.
“[She] could have been off the court maybe half an hour sooner, but she will have felt like she’s earned that.
“Fantastic embrace between two good friends and teammates at the end of that match. It was Jessica Pegula who possessed better firepower in the end, and that was the difference.”
Pegula claimed her third straight victory against Navarro, having defeated her twice before in the last two years.
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