Pegula Eyes Sabalenka Rivalry in US Open Semifinal

Jessica Pegula says her past meetings with Aryna Sabalenka are fueling her motivation for their US Open semifinal. The world No.3 will face the top-ranked Sabalenka on Thursday in their 14th Tour-level clash.

Pegula secured the showdown by coming from a set down to defeat Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. The match was a topsy-turvy encounter where Pegula struggled at times, particularly on her second serve. She won only 16 of 39 points on her second delivery and produced eight double faults. In the deciding set, she was down a break before rallying to win five of the next six games.

The Rivalry Dynamic

Pegula told reporters she relishes the competitive history with Sabalenka. "It's fun to look at it like a rivalry. I think that's what kind of motivates me," she said. The American also suggested the dynamic works both ways. "I feel like that's what's going to motivate her, probably that I beat her the last couple of times."

The Belarusian leads their overall head-to-head 9-4. However, Pegula has won two of their last three meetings. Those wins bookended a Sabalenka victory at the WTA Finals.

Pegula's Season and Approach

Pegula has registered 50 wins on the WTA Tour this season, more than any other player remaining in the US Open women's draw. She has also reached at least the quarterfinal stage at more tournaments than any other player on tour this year.

Her game plan for the semifinal involves balancing past success with present reality. "I'm going to try to pull what I did well from those few matches but be aware that she's No." Pegula said. She credited Sabalenka's team for their analytical work. "Her and her team do a really great job of looking at what they need to improve, what other players are doing against her, and I think that's the reason she is No. 1 because they've done such a great job at that."

Sabalenka's Path and Form

Sabalenka is enjoying a resurgence at Flushing Meadows after a mixed stretch on tour. At one stage, she failed to reach the quarterfinals at three consecutive tournaments. In New York, she has dropped just one set in five matches. That came during a roller-coaster quarterfinal win over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, which Sabalenka edged by winning a third-set tiebreak 10-7.

Pegula commented on that hard-fought victory. "That match probably gave her a lot of confidence getting through a top player in that fashion, and to win in a ten-point tiebreaker is pretty gutsy to come back from," she said. The American noted Sabalenka's strong history at the event despite recent form. "She hasn't maybe had the best results this summer, but I know that she has a lot of confidence playing here at this tournament, and she's going for a three-peat."

Pegula drew on her own experience from last season. "I had a pretty terrible summer last year and then was able to play really good tennis here and take a set off of her in the semis last time we played. So sometimes results don't really matter that much."

With this semifinal appearance, Pegula becomes the first WTA player in the Open Era to reach her first semifinal at all four major tournaments after turning 30.