Jessica Pegula’s run to the US Open semifinals ended with a 7-5, 6-2 defeat to Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday, but the world No. 3 left New York having strengthened an already exceptional hard-court season.
Pegula salutes Sabalenka after US Open semifinal
Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time reigning champion at Flushing Meadows, held off Pegula in a tight opening set before pulling clear in the second to reach the final. Pegula had been aiming to return to the championship match after her run to the final four, but Sabalenka’s level left little room for the American to recover once the first set slipped away.
“That may have been the best match she has played all year,” Pegula said afterwards. “Her standard was incredibly high. I have no idea who annoyed her today — I hope it was not me — but she was playing unbelievably well.”
The American arrived in New York after reaching consecutive finals in Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati, and her semifinal appearance extended a productive North American swing. Her 50 match wins for the season are the most on the WTA Tour.
Pegula also retained her familiar dry humour in the press room. Holding a Lavazza cup while awaiting a doping-control test, she clarified that it contained decaffeinated espresso rather than anything stronger.
“At the US Open, I always seem to be sitting in press looking for a bathroom for doping control,” she said. “It is only decaf coffee.” When a reporter suggested tequila, Pegula laughed that she wished someone had brought her some, adding that this year’s post-match companion was coffee rather than a cocktail.
It was not the first time Pegula had used humour to soften a difficult New York exit. After losing to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 quarterfinals, she appeared before the media with a Heineken, while last year she posted that the tournament’s signature drink was helping after her semifinal loss to Sabalenka.
Pegula is scheduled to return to the draw at the WTA 500 Singapore Open, which begins on September 21.
SEO Title: Jessica Pegula praises Aryna Sabalenka after US Open semifinal defeat
SEO Description: Jessica Pegula fell 7-5, 6-2 to Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open semifinals, but the American completed a strong hard-court swing with 50 season wins.
