by The seeded n ° 6, Jessica Pegula, surprised the head of IGA Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the US Open on Wednesday evening, offering an American the fourth ticket for the semi-finals of the tournament.
With this victory, Pegula qualified for the semi-finals of a Grand Chelem tournament for the first time in his career. There, she will join her American compatriots Emma Navarro, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz. She will face Karolína Muchová, not classified, at the Arthur Ashe stadium on Thursday.
Navarro-13th grade head-will face the seeded n ° 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the other female semi-final. Thursday winners will access the championship match on Saturday.
Among men, Tiafoe and Fritz will compete on Friday in the semi-finals, thus guaranteeing an American place in the championship round, a first in a big slam since 2009. The seeded n ° 1 Jannik Sinner, on the other hand, will face N ° 25. Jack Draper, seeded, in the other male semi-final after defeating the number 5 Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Pegula at the controls from the start
Pegula took control of the first set in the first game and did not drop him. She won the first match on the Swiatek service, offering the world number 1 her first service broken in 26 games. Swiatek had not been broken since his victory in the first round against Kamilla Rakhimova.
On the second service of Swiatek, Pegula reoffends. She ensured her second station wagon of the first set to take a 3-0 lead. She kept control of her own service and did not pay a break on the 6-2 victory. The set lasted 36 minutes and saw Swiatek commit 18 direct faults. When it was done, Pegula sat on his bench and gave a subtle punch.
Swiatek withdrew in the locker room, where she took a long break between the sets. On her return to the field, she had abandoned her colorful outfit to wear white.
Swiatek was the first to serve again in the second set. This time, she held. But Pegula still breaks him on his second service to take a 2-1 advance. Swiatek returned the station wagon to equalize the set at 2-2 before Pegula regained control with a break to take a 4-3 lead. She forced three break balls in the match, then sparked a standing ovation from her fans in the stands of the Arthur Ashe stadium after forcing Swiatek to strike wide to ensure the break.
Swiatek did not fall back. While his racket led 5-4, Pegula succeeded in his third match ball to win the biggest victory in his career.
“Finally” semi-finalist
Pegula had already reached the quarter -finals of seven Grand Salm tournaments without progress. She spoke of her breakthrough with ESPN after Wednesday’s victory.
“I lived so much crazy moments and continued to lose,” said Pegula. “But to the big players, to the girls who continued and won the tournament. I know that everyone keeps asking me questions about it. But I said to myself:” I don’t know what else to do. I just need to go back and win the tournament. “To match. ‘
“Thank goodness, I was able to do it. And finally, finally, I can say semi-finalist.”
Pegula’s victory has improved his career record against Swiatek at 6-4 and refused Swiatek a chance in his sixth Grand Chelem championship. Swiatek won the US Open 2022 and is a winner four times in Roland-Garros. Swiatek entered the Wednesday match with the guarantee of keeping its world number one ranking regardless of the result.
Pegula will not have much time to rejoice at this surprise. She should face Muchová in the semi-finals at the Arthur Ashe stadium on Thursday. Navarro-13th grade head-will face the seeded n ° 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the other female semi-final. Thursday winners will access the championship match on Saturday.
