Jessica Pegula is into her second consecutive US Open semi-final after a 6-3 6-3 victory over Barbora Krejcikova.
The American is the first semi-finalist of this year’s tournament after being clinical and ruthless against Krejcikova.
It was a rather defensive performance from the former Wimbledon champion who exits the tournament at the quarter-final stage.
Now a rematch of last year’s final could be coming next with Pegula potentially playing Aryna Sabalenka if the defending champion can beat Marketa Vondrousova in the second quarter-final.
An aggressive and clinical start was produced by Pegula who raced out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening set with some proactive play.
The key to the match for Pegula was dealing with the Krejcikova slice well as the Czech Republican failed to deal with the American’s flat and heavy hitting.
Eventually Krejcikova did get on the board as she secured two service holds despite facing break points on both occasions.
Despite not playing her best tennis, Krejcikova was in the match and competing well with that being shown in the seventh game as she broke back to get back on serve.
That didn’t faze Pegula tough as the fourth seed broke immediately back and grinded out another service hold to take a clean opening set.
The return positioning of Krejcikova was a metre deeper than her previous rounds and that was costing her as she allowed the American to dictate play.
An early lead was produced from last year’s finalist as she went a double break up at 4-1 and storming towards the last eight.
However, Krejcikova once again raised her level to put some doubt into Pegula’s mind as she got one of the breaks back and reducing the deficit to 4-3.
In the end, Pegula was more aggressive in the crucial moments on serve as she raced to a 5-3 lead before breaking again to secure her place in the last four.
After the match Pegula admitted she feels comfortable at the US Open, “I just feel really comfortable,” Pegula was quoted by the BBC Sport website as saying.
“It’s crazy to feel this comfortable on the biggest court in the world with the craziest crowd and the best players. It’s something that 10 years ago I never thought I’d be good at this but I guess I am.”
Pegula will now face Sabalenka or Vondrousova for a place in her second consecutive US Open final.
