Jessica Pegula upset World No. 1 Iga Swiatek with a decisive 6-2, 6-4 victory and is now poised for a major opportunity with Aryna Sabalenka being the only remaining player with a major title. While Sabalenka has been the favorite throughout the tournament, Pegula has been a strong contender in recent weeks.
Pegula expressed her relief and joy at finally overcoming her quarter-final curse. “I’m so happy that you guys cannot ask me about making it to the semis anymore,” Pegula laughed. “It wasn’t even about me; it was more about the constant questioning. I’m really thrilled to have made it to the semi-finals.”
She reflected on her previous quarter-final defeats, saying, “I’ve been to the quarter-finals so many times and kept losing to great players. Everyone kept asking me about it, and I was like, ‘I don’t know what to do. I just need to get there again and win the match.’”
Pegula continued, “It wasn’t just about reaching the round; it was about winning a significant match. There were a lot of factors involved: defeating the No. 1 player in the world, playing on Ashe during primetime, and knowing I had a chance. I’ve had some great wins recently and have been playing really well. Despite the pressure, I felt relaxed and confident in my ability to get the job done.”