Pegula jumps on Anisimova 6-2, 7-6 to reach the first semi-final of the Australian Open
In a Northeast encounter, #4 got #6 to enter the final four. Jessica Pegula of Buffalo, NYand compatriot Amanda Anisimova of Freehold, acompeted for a coveted semi-final spot below.
Pegula, a month shy of her thirty-second birthday, is seven years older than her opponent. While both have achieved a career high rank of #3last season Anisimova reached two Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon & US Open), while in 2024Pegula made the final in NY (L. Sabalenka).
Pegula was looking for her first semi-final appearance in Melbourne after reaching the quarters for the fourth time in six years. Reaching the sixteenth round on three occasions (2019, 2022 & 2024), this was Anisimova’s first appearance in the quarterfinals.
(Martin Keep/AFP)
She had not lost a set in four rounds against unseeded players, while Pegula defeated defending champion Madison Keys in straight sets in the previous round. While Pegula led head to head 3-0they hadn’t competed since the summer of last year 2024.
Anisimova opened the match and dropped serve after three consecutive unforced errors and a brilliant return on the line from Pegula. The sixth seed hit three winners, including two straight aces and a terrific inside-out forehand to consolidate the break for 2-0.
Anisimova served three more unforced errors and faced a break point but held on with two winners, including a fierce forehand on game point. Pegula opened the fourth with an errant shot, but with two straight forehand winners, held on 15 ABOUT 3-1 while Anisimova served two more forehand errors, faced triple break point and broke serve.
Pegula hit two straight aces and a straight backhand from double alley to hold at love 5-1. Anisimova, serving to hold the set, hit three winners in a row, including her first ace, and held for 2-5.
Pegula, serving new balls, opened with her fifth ace, but with her first double fault and two unforced errors, she faced two shots and a break point before closing out the set with an ace on the tee.
Anisimova served first in the second and, as the errors piled up, including her first double fault, she faced three deuces and two break points, but held with a spectacular forehand and an error from her opponent.
Pegula opened with a swing volley winner and easily held on 15 level as Anisimova upped the ante with a terrific forehand down the line to hold at love.
Pegula lost 3/4 the first still serves 15 ABOUT 2-2while Anisimova, with the second ace and the double fault, held 30 to lead. Pegula made two unforced errors but held on 30 ABOUT 3-3 while Anisimova, with two incredible groundstroke winners, held on 30 despite her third double fault.
Pegula opened the eighth with an overcooked forehand, faced a double break point and broke serve with a netted backhand. Anisimova served for the set but faced a double break point and, on her fourth double fault, converted the break.
Pegula did 4/6 first serves and, with a superb forehand cross, consolidated the break at level five. Anisimova continued to struggle with her serve and, with three more double faults, faced two break points and dropped serve.
Pegula, who served for the match, opened with a forehand down the line, but a costly double fault and an errant shot turned the break back. Anisimova was given another chance to force a deciding set. She served first on the “breaker” and that would be the only point she won; with four more unforced errors, she opened a hole she couldn’t escape.
Pegula kept her cool with two superb backhand game winners and a well-placed serve to reach her first semi-final in Melbourne. As she competed with consistency and unwavering focus, she was undeniably assisted by Anisimova, who served up seven double faults in addition to forty-four unforced errors.
Pegula was impressive on serve, winning 70% of first services and 64% of second serve points and saves 2/4 breakpoints during conversion 4/11. Although she hit twenty-one unforced errors on twenty winners, she went 5/6 on the net.
Pegula will face the fifth seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. The twenty-six-year-old Kazakh sent the world #2 Iga Swiatek in the quarters and is seeking her second final after losing in three sets to Aryna Sabalenka in 2023.
While the head with the head is level 3-3this will be their first meeting in a slam.
Rybakina won their most recent meeting in three sets in the semifinals 2025 WTA the finals.
