Pegula\’s Nightly Battle, A Heartbreaking Defeat Against World No.1

In a thrilling US Open women’s singles semifinal last night, ​​Jessica Pegula​​ faced off against the top seed and defending champion ​​Aryna Sabalenka​​. Despite a valiant effort and winning the first set, Pegula ultimately fell to the World No. 1 in a three-set battle, with a final score of ​​4-6, 6-3, 6-4​​.

​​A Rollercoaster of Emotions 🎾​​

The match was a nail-biter from start to finish. Pegula started strong, showcasing the brilliant tennis that has made her a consistent force on the WTA tour. After initially falling behind 2-4 in the first set, she mounted an impressive comeback, reeling off four consecutive games with precise shot-making to seize the opener 6-4.

However, Sabalenka, known for her powerful game and mental resilience, stormed back in the second set. She grabbed an early break and maintained her lead, leveling the match by taking the set 6-3. The deciding set was a tense affair. Sabalenka secured a crucial break in the very first game. While Pegula fought desperately to get back on level terms, even creating four break points in the sixth game, Sabalenka’s clutch serving and aggressive play under pressure saw her save every one. That single break of serve proved enough for Sabalenka to close out the set and the match.

​​By the Numbers: What Decided the Match? 📊​​

The stats reveal just how close this contest was and highlight the small margins that separate victory from defeat at the highest level.

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  ​​Unshakeable Serve:​​ A key differentiator was Sabalenka’s performance on her first serve. She boasted a formidable ​​76% first-serve win percentage​​, which helped her navigate out of trouble in critical moments.

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  ​​Firepower:​​ The top seed also unleashed a stunning ​​38 winners​​, consistently pushing Pegula onto the defensive and controlling the pace of rallies.

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  ​​Capitalizing on Chances:​​ Ultimately, Sabalenka’s ability to withstand pressure and convert her opportunities, particularly saving those four break points in the final set’s sixth game, was the defining factor in her victory.

​​A Look Back: History Repeated Itself 🔁​​

This match was a replay of the ​​2024 US Open final​​, and unfortunately for Pegula, the result was the same. The head-to-head record between these two players now heavily favors Sabalenka, who has extended her lead to ​​8 wins against just 2 losses​​. Their matches are often close—they had played four consecutive sets with a 7-5 scoreline in their recent meetings—but Sabalenka has consistently found a way to win.

​​Beyond the Score: Pegula’s Strong 2025 Season 🌟​​

While this loss is undoubtedly disappointing, it should not overshadow what has been a fantastic and consistent season for Jessica Pegula. She has proven her versatility by winning titles on all three surfaces:

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  ​​Hard Court:​​ Champion at the WTA250 in Austin.

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  ​​Green Clay:​​ Champion at the WTA500 in Charleston.

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  ​​Grass Court:​​ Champion at the WTA500 in Bad Homburg, where she defeated Iga Swiatek in the final. This achievement made her the ​​first player this season to win titles on hard, clay, and grass courts​​, a testament to her all-court prowess.

​​What’s Next for Jessica Pegula? 🤔​​

Reaching the semifinal of her home Grand Slam is a commendable result. This performance will likely solidify her position near the top of the world rankings. The question now is how she rebounds from this tough defeat. Her game is clearly in a great place, and her versatility makes her a threat on any surface. Fans can expect her to be a major contender in the upcoming tournaments as the tour shifts to Asia.

This match, though a loss, once again demonstrated Pegula’s fighting spirit and elite skill. She pushed the World No. 1 to her limits and proved she belongs among the very best in the game.