Jessica Pegula jokes about peculiar "2 am" struggle after tightly contested late-night Miami Open 2023 quarterfinal

Jessica Pegula is relieved to find herself in the semifinals of the ongoing Miami Open 2023, and she has expressed that through a cheeky post on social media.

This is Pegula's second consecutive appearance in the final four of the WTA 1000 in the Floridian city. However, things weren't easy for the World No. 3, who had to fight off match points before coming through.

Pegula faced Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in the rain-affected quarterfinal in Miami. The match commenced almost four hours later than expected and witnessed multiple rain delays.

The circumstances contributed to some scrappy play from both competitors as they exchanged as many as 15 breaks between them. The three-set thriller officially lasted two hours and 36 minutes, with the American stealing the win well past 1 am.

After the match, Pegula hilariously joked about the struggles of high-octane late-night finishes. The player confessed that she struggled to raise her cramped-up arm to brush her hair.

“POV it’s 2am. You just won 7-6 in the 3rd and your arm is cramping trying to brush through your hair,” the 29-year-old tweeted.

The quarterfinals of the Miami Open was Pegula and Potapova’s second clash in March. Pegula won 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the Round of 32 of the WTA 1000 Indian Wells earlier this month.

This time around Potapova posed an even bigger challenge, generating two match points against the American No. 1. Nonetheless, Pegula staged a commendable comeback to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2).

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Jessica Pegula gears up for clash with Elena Rybakina in Miami Open semifinals

Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina at the 2022 Guadalajara Open

Jessica Pegula is hoping to better her result at the Miami Open now that she has successfully defended her points from last year. In her pursuit of a second WTA 1000 title, the American is gearing up for a semifinal contest against the in-form Elena Rybakina, who is looking to claim the Sunshine Double.

Pegula faced off against the reigning Wimbledon champion twice in 2022 and emerged victorious on both occasions. The World No. 3's most recent triumph against Rybakina came en route to her title win at the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open.

Their first clash was in the previous edition of the Miami Open, where Pegula prevailed in straight sets (6-3, 6-4).

“I don't mind playing her, at least in the past. Obviously I think she's picked up her level since then, so it's going to be a really tough test, especially after this past match, physically see how I feel, as well. Hopefully I can recover in time. At least I have another day,” Pegula said after her quarterfinal win.