Jessica Pegula “was about to burst into tears” before stunning comeback win against Karolina Muchova in 2024 US Open semifinal

Jessica Pegula is living the dream after entering the 2024 US Open final with a stunning victory over Karolina Muchova. Despite losing the first set, Pegula bounced back to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday (September 5) night.

However, it was not as smooth as Pegula would have hoped. The World No. 6 revealed that she was about to cry after “embarrassing” herself in the opening set. She said that Muchova made her look like a beginner with the way she played.

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 find a way, find some adrenaline, find my legs. Then, at the end of the second set into the third set, I started to play like how I wanted to play. It took a while, but I don’t know how I turned that around, honestly.

Jessica Pegula said (H/T: US Open)

Despite the challenges, Jessica Pegula stood her ground and scripted history for herself. The 30-year-old is now into her maiden Grand Slam final, where she will face Aryna Sabalenka after the Belarusian ousted Emma Navarro in straight sets in the other semifinal.

Jessica Pegula hopes to get revenge against Aryna Sabalenka at US Open following Cincinnati defeat

Jessica Pegula’s clash with Aryna Sabalenka for the US Open title is a rematch of last month’s Cincinnati Open final, which the latter won 6-3, 7-5. The Buffalo native expressed her desire to get revenge for that defeat when the two lock horns in New York.

After her win over Karolina Muchova, Pegula acknowledged the challenge that awaits her in the final. The American claimed that while Sabalenka is the favorite to win the title, she is ready to give the World No. 2 a run for her money.

Playing Aryna is going to be really tough. She showed how tough she is [in the first semi] and why she’s probably the favorite to win this tournament. It’ll be a rematch of Cincinnati, so hopefully I can get some revenge out here. It’s kind of crazy that we’re playing each other again in the finals, but I think it just shows how much great hard court tennis we’ve been playing. She’s going to be tough to beat, but that’s what the finals are for, so I’m ready.

Jessica Pegula said in her on-court interview

The two players have met each other seven times on the tour, with Sabalenka winning five times. However, Pegula comes into their latest clash in red-hot form, having clinched her second consecutive title at the Canadian Open and reaching the final at the Cincinnati Open. With very little to separate the two right now, it promises to be an exciting contest.

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