'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
US tennis player Jessica Pegula was relieved that the media wouldn't question her for her inability to make it to the 2024 US Open semi-finals. She defeated World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-4, and advanced to the semis to clash against Karolina Muchova of Czechia.
In her storied career, Pegula has lost six quarterfinal matches, including twice against Pole Iga Swiatek. At the 2022 US Open, the eight-seeded American ousted 21st seed Petra Kvitova to reach the quarterfinal stage, her first at her home Grand Slam Championship. However, Swiatek ended her US Open run and defeated her for the third time that year.
At the 2024 US Open, Pegula put her best foot forward and avenged her loss to Swiatek. In front of a packed crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 30-year-old defeated the Pole in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 and made it to the semifinals.
Trending
In a post-match interview, she heaved a sigh of relief on learning that the media wouldn't ask her anything about losing in the quarterfinals:
"I'm so happy that you guys cannot ask me about making it to the semis. It wasn't even a me thing, it was more like people asking me. I'm really happy to make it through to the semi-finals." [0.20]
Jessica Pegula made it through in her seventh Grand Slam attempt after reaching the quarterfinal stage at the Australian Open (2021–2023), the French Open (2022), the US Open (2022), and Wimbledon (2023).
After the win, the former World No. 3 reiterated, reflecting on the times she was asked about her losses.
"I have been [to the quarterfinals] so many freakin’ times. I just kept losing. But to great players … everyone keeps asking me about it, but I was like, ‘I don’t know what to do. I just need to get there again and win the match.'" Pegula said. (via Washington Post)
Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz also advanced to the semi-finals besides Jessica Pegula
Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe made the first all-America men's singles semifinal since Robby Ginepri and Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open. One of Tiafoe and Fritz will become the first Grand Slam finalist in the men's singles since Andy Roddick.
The 30-year-old Jessica Pegula will face Czech player Karolina Muchova and the winner will advance to the finals to face the winner of the clash between Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and Pegula's Olympic teammate, Emma Navarro.
US gymnast Simone Biles, fresh off her Paris Olympic campaign, was spotted in attendance at Jessica Pegula and Swiatek's match at the 2024 US Open.
