Jessica Pegula Left Short of Words to Explain her US Open Semifinal Defeat to Aryna Sabalenka

Jessica Pegula fell to Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the semi-finals of the US Open, marking an end to the American star’s run at the tournament. The World No.4 was seeking to beat the Belarusian star for the first time this season, but she couldn’t keep up with the World No. 1’s aggressive display on the court.

Pegula was down 2-4 in the first set and was playing unconvincingly after Sabalenka silenced the partisan crowd. But after a couple of errors from the World No.1, Pegula rallied back into the match. She hit a couple of good serves to then complete the comeback set win to the delight of the home fans.

After a bathroom break, Sabalenka came all out, applying pressure on Pegula, who was forced to go deep into the baseline. The Belarusian star broke the American early and continued with the momentum, winning the second set after breaking Pegula twice to force the match to a decider at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In the third set, Pegula tried to rally back into the match as she didn’t allow Sabalenka to break her until the ninth game. The 2024 runner-up committed 15 unforced errors against 21 winners, and lost only four points on serve in the entire third set. Sabalenka went on to win the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the US Open final for the third consecutive time.

After the match, Pegula was asked if it was the hardest match she had played at the US Open this season. The 31-year-old revealed that she didn’t know why she couldn’t break the World No.1 in the third set despite producing a good fight back:

It was a match of very high level. I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know how I didn’t break back in the third set. I played some very good points to win the first. She raised her level, started to serve much better in the second. Then I felt it was very close in the third, there wasn’t much difference. I felt that both of us were serving quite well. She hit some incredible shots, like on the break point. I didn’t feel like I did anything wrong.

Pegula is now set to drop to World No.5 when the WTA rankings are updated next week. Amanda Anisimova will leapfrog the American star to reach a career-high ranking after she reached the final of the US Open. Anisimova defeated Naomi Osaka in three sets to reach back-to-back Grand Slam finals.

Jessica Pegula reflects on her head-to-head record against Aryna Sabalenka on tour

Jessica Pegula had lost seven of her last nine meetings with Aryna Sabalenka on the court and held a 2-7 head-to-head record. Sabalenka has won their last three meetings on hard court in straight sets before their encounter on Thursday (September 4) at the US Open. Their rivalry has been competitive and compelling, but also one-sided.

During her post-match press conference, she was asked what she hopes to do to compete more against the Belarusian star. She admitted that she just has to execute better on the court when she faces the World No.1:

Obviously, execution is another story. There were some very small things I could have done differently at the end. If she goes out and hits good returns and connects winners on the first ball, some literally on the line, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about it. She’s too good. That’s how she plays, with a lot of courage, and it works for her. I don’t think I play like that.

Pegula has won three titles this season and they have come on three different surfaces, including on clay at the Charleston Open. Her last title came at the Bad Homburg Open, where she defeated World No.2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets. She will be heading into the Asian swing with the hope of adding another title to her tally

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