Jessica Pegula overcame nerves and saved four match points to defeat Victoria Azarenka 6-4 3-6 7-6(7) to reach the Charleston semi-finals.
The top seeded American reached her second consecutive semi-final in Charleston after an epic contest with the former Grand Slam champion.
In windy conditions, Pegula let a 3-1 lead slip as she lost five games in a row to lose the second set against Azarenka.
Then in the tenth game of the final set, Pegula had four match points on Azarenka’s serve before the 12th seed saved them with the final set going to a tiebreak.
In the tiebreak Azarenka produced a dominant start as she had a 6-3 lead and created four match points in the tiebreak.
However Pegula dug deep and won a thrilling contest to reach the last four in Charleston.
Speaking after the match Pegula admitted emotions got the better of her in the big moments and spoke about how she got over the finishing line, “I totally let my emotions get me in the end [of regulation],” Pegula told the WTA website.
“I started the tiebreak super nervous. I blew the match points. I didn’t play horrible, but I went for it. Whenever that happens, you start the tiebreak and you feel like you should have already won. It was super windy because it makes your nerves even worse. Nothing feels good. You’re kind of like wobbling all over the place.
“Missed a couple of easy returns and I kind of knelt down at 6-3. I was like, `Shoot, I’m not really feeling this right now. This is not great.’ But I was like, `Play one good point, maybe, get a double fault on her serve and get a free point on your serve,’ and it kind of just happened that way.
“And I was able to work my way back in. Then she obviously got real tight, too. I knew if I could keep it closer, I would have a chance. I’m just glad I got through that.”
Pegula will now play Daria Kasatkina in the semi-finals with Pegula leading the head-to-head 2-0.
Meanwhile the other semi-final will see Miami Open champion Danielle Collins take on the in-form Maria Sakkari.
The semi-finals will take place at 7pm BST time.
