It was with great relief that the 30-year-old American spoke after the victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
I knew I could do it. I just needed to play my game and not get frustrated, she says.
The Pole Swiatek started shakily and couldn't get her serves in. Pegula took advantage of this directly, broke her serve, and then continued with a sparkling aggressive game. The first set went entirely in the home favorite's direction.
In the second set, Swiatek stepped up the pace and showed why she has won five Grand Slam titles, including the 2022 US Open. But at 3–3, Pegula, ranked as the world's sixth best, could break again and served out the match a little later.
After losing six consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals, the victory was extra sweet for Pegula.
Everyone has been asking me about it, but I didn't know what I would do, she says.
But thank goodness I succeeded. Finally, I can say that I'm a semifinalist.
For Jessica Pegula – who started the year by firing her long-time coach – Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic, ranked 52nd, awaits now.
