New York no. 4 Jessica Pegula, the highest placed American who was in the Singles of the US Open Women’s Draw, defeated Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the semi-final during a Grand Slam tournament for just the second time in her career.
Pegula did not succeed in going into the semi -final in her first 22 main table performances at a major before reaching the final at Flushing Meadows a year ago when she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
“My biggest achievement last year was just past the quarterfinals,” said Pegula. “Now I can say I did it twice.”
This year Pegula was eliminated in the fourth round in the Australian Open, the third round at the French Open and the first round in Wimbledon. Back on hard courts at the US Open has been a recipe for success. For the second consecutive year, Pegula made the last four at Flushing Meadows without dropping a set, and so far has only been pushed past five-all into one set, which came in the second set of her third round match with Victoria Azarenka.
Before Pegula, the last woman to reach the American open semi-finals in back-to-back year without giving up a set, was Serena Williams, who did this four consecutive time of 2011-14.
Pegula has lost a total of 23 games in this tournament, the least by an American woman on the way to a big semi -final since Williams on the Australian Open 2016 (22 games lost before Semis).
“I was able to go in those competitions and really take care of business,” said Pegula. “I think that is what has given me a lot of confidence is that I played good players, but (received) convincing victories over those players.”
Sabalenka, now the top tennis player for ladies in the world, could be the next opponent of Pegula if she beats Marketa Vondrousova on Tuesday evening in their match. That is also in Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Pegula quickly worked on Krejcikova.
“It is strange to look now and to think that I really feel comfortable to play here on large courts in large matches at the best court in the world with the craziest audience to the best players,” Pegula said. “It’s pretty strange, and it’s something I never thought I would be good at this 10 years ago, but I think I am.”
Pegula, 31, strives for her first Grand Slam championship. She and no. 8 Amanda Anisimova are the only Americans who are still in the ladies’ field.
Krejcikova spread one of them, Taylor Townsend, who was unable to convert eight match points when they met on Sunday in the quarterfinals. Pegula was not perfect, but she played well enough to keep control at all times and Krejcikova broke a last time to end the game in less than 90 minutes – at her first match point attempt.
“It was really tight,” said Pegula. “She had a few really good return when I served at 4-1, and then we all saw what she did against Taylor, so I was happy that we are ready.”
Krejcikova, a two -time champion, credited Pegula for placing shots in the middle of the field where she could not return the ball.
“She didn’t really miss so much, and she played tennis pretty well,” said Krejcikova. “I wish I did better, but today it was just not the day.”
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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