Jessica Pegula Enters Her First Ever Grand Slam Final

Jessica Pegula advances to her first Grand Slam final in her career after defeating Karolina Muchova in the semifinals at the U.S. Open.

This marks the second time in as many years an American woman is in the women’s championship. It’s also the first time since the 2003 U.S. Open that had multiple American semifinalists in singles for both men and women.

Pegula upset world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open to make it to the semis. She was previously 0-6 in the quarterfinals before upsetting Swiatek 6-2,6-4 in under 90 minutes. She had lost to Swiatek twice in the quarterfinals in previous years.

“I have been [to the quarterfinals] so many freakin’ times. I just kept losing,” Pegula said, per the Washington Post. “Everyone keeps asking me about it, but I was like, ‘I don’t know what to do. I just need to get there again and win the match.' Thank God I was able to do it, and finally—finally—I can say, 'semifinalist.’”

But now she has the privilege of saying “finalist.”

The Buffalonian defeated Czech Republic’s Muchova in the Arthur Ashe Stadium in three sets after falling 1-6 in the first set. Pegula bounced back to win the following sets 6-4, then 6-2. She’ll face No. 2 ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the final on Saturday.

“First of all, I’m just happy I was able to figure this match out and turn it around on such a big stage,” Pegula said, per ESPN’s Rennae Stubbs.

“But two, playing Aryna is going to be really tough. She showed how tough she is and why she’s probably the favorite to win this tournament. It will be a rematch of Cincinnati, so hopefully I can get some revenge out here.”

Pegula fell to Sabalenka in the Cincinnati Open last month and is 2-5 against Sabalenka but has won 15 of her last 16 matches.