In a confrontation in the northeast, #4 took #6 to reach the final four. Jessica Pegula from Buffalo, N.Yand compatriot Amanda Anisimova from Freehold, N.Jcompeted for a coveted spot in the semi-finals down under.
Pegula, a month shy of her thirty-second birthday, is seven years older than her opponent. Although both have achieved a career-high rank of #3Last season, Anisimova reached two Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon & US Open) while you are inside 2024Pegula reached the final N.Y (L. Sabalenka).
Pegula was looking for her first semi-final appearance in Melbourne after reaching the quarter-finals for the fourth time in six years. After reaching the round of sixteen three times (2019, 2022 & 2024), this was Anisimova’s first appearance in the quarterfinals.
[Martin Keep/AFP]
She had not dropped a set against unseeded players in four rounds, while Pegula defeated defending champion Madison Keys in straight sets in the previous round. While Pegula led the head-to-head confrontation 3-0they had not participated since the summer of 2024.
Anisimova opened the match, throwing away serve after three consecutive unforced errors and a brilliant backhand return down Pegula’s line. The sixth seed had three winners, including two consecutive aces and a fantastic inside-out forehand to consolidate the break for 2-0.
Anisimova made a further three unforced errors and conceded a break point, but held on with two winners, including a blistering backhand crosscourt on game point. Pegula opened the fourth with a failed backhand but held two consecutive forehand winners 15 for 3-1 while Anisimova made two more forehand errors, faced a triple break point and dropped serve.
Pegula hit two consecutive aces and a winning backhand down the doubles line to keep the love going 5-1. Anisimova, serving to stay in the set, hit three consecutive winners, including her first ace, and held on 2-5.
Pegula, serving with new balls, opened with her fifth ace, but conceded two deuces and a break point with her first double fault and two unforced errors before taking the set with an ace on the tee.
Anisimova served first in the second and as the errors piled up, including her first double fault, she faced three deuce and two break points but held on with a spectacular series of forehands and an error from her opponent.
Pegula opened with a backhand swing volley winner and held on easily 15 level as Anisimova upped the ante with a great forehand down the line to hold the love.
Pegula missed 3/4 first serve not yet achieved 15 for 2-2while Anisimova held on with her second ace and double fault 30 to lead. Pegula made two unforced errors, but held on 30 for 3-3 while Anisimova, with two great groundstroke winners, held on 30 despite her third double fault.
Pegula opened the eighth with an overcooked forehand, faced a double break point and dropped serve with a netted backhand. Anisimova served for the set, but gave up a double break point and gave back the break with her fourth double fault.
Pegula made 4/6 first serve and, with an excellent forehand crosscourt, consolidated the break to level five. Anisimova continued to struggle with her toss and, with three more double faults, conceded two break points and dropped serve.
Pegula served for the match, opening with a sparkling forehand down the line, but gave back the break with a costly double fault and a mishit backhand. Anisimova got another chance to force a deciding set. She served first in the breaker, and that would be the only point she won; with four more unforced errors she dug a ditch from which she could not escape.
Pegula kept her composure with two stunning backhand winners and a well-placed serve off the tee to reach her first semi-final in Melbourne. Competing with steadfast consistency and focus, she undeniably collected an assist from Anisimova, who collected seven double faults in addition to forty-four unforced errors.
Pegula was impressive on his serve and won 70% of first served and 64% second service points, and saved 2/4 breakpoints during conversion 4/11. Even though she made twenty-one unforced errors against twenty winners, she went 5/6 at net.
Pegula will face the fifth seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. The twenty-six year old Kazakh sent world #2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals and looking for her second final after a three-set loss to Aryna Sabalenka in 2023.
While the mutual relationships are the same 3-3this will be their first meeting at a slam.
Rybakina won their most recent meeting in three sets in the semifinals at the 2025 WTA Finals.
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