Jessica Pegula is alive and kicking at the US Open after she rallied back from a set deficit against Karolina Muchova to book her spot in Saturday’s championship match.
The 30-year-old set up a thrilling final with world number two Aryna Sabalenka, who is widely regarded as the best hard-court player in the world due to her blistering form.
It will be a gripping rematch of last month’s Cincinnati final between Pegula and Sabalenka which appears to have been a dress rehearsal for what is in store at Flushing Meadows.
Pegula put on an impressive display to down world number one Iga Swiatek in a comprehensive win that drove her into a maiden grand slam semi-final.
Now, after an epic comeback over Muchova, the American will bid to emulate the form that propelled compatriot Coco Gauff to glory on the same stage 12 months ago.
Jessica Pegula battles adversity in Karolina Muchova match
Jessica Pegula threw her racket on the ground in celebration once she had completed her mighty fightback.
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the American who found herself staring down the barrel of defeat, trailing by a set and 0-2 while facing another break point.
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“I was thinking alright, that was kind of lucky!” Pegula said of the shot she made to save the break point. “You’re still in this. It comes down to really small moments that flip momentum.
“I came out flat but she was playing unbelievable. She made me look like a beginner. I was about to burst into tears because it was embarrassing. She was destroying me.
“I was able to hold on to that game and find a way, find some adrenaline, and find my legs, and then at the end of the second set and into the third set I started to play the way I wanted to play. It took a while but I don’t know how I turned it around, honestly.”
Who will win the US Open?
After clinching the title in Cincinnati in emphatic fashion, Aryna Sabalenka quickly established herself as the firm favorite to reign supreme at the US Open.
The stars are now seeming to align, but the Belarusian won’t rest easy knowing she will be facing another crowd favorite in the final.
It will soon be apparent whether the 26-year-old is still suffering from the heartbreak she suffered to Gauff in last year’s final, who produced an inspired comeback to become the first native teenager to win in New York since Serena Williams in 1999.
Either way, with Pegula also returning to red-hot form, it promises to be another hair-raising final to conclude the grand slam season.
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