Pegula submits Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 to reach the first Grand Slam semifinal
It was a downright world wreck #1. Jessica Pegula of Buffalo, NY performed at an extremely high level on home soil to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal.
Iga Swiatek from Poland had quietly passed the draw this fortnight. The reigning French Open champion was seeking her second title at Flushing Meadows after lifting the Tiffany trophy two years ago. The twenty-three-year-old with twenty-two titles in his career had not lost a single set in four matches.
In this quarterfinal showdown, she faced a familiar foe. Although Swiatek led head to head 6-3this was their first meeting this season and second this season NY from its title 2022. The seven-year-old Pegula with six titles is currently ranked and ranked sixth. Like her opponent, she had not lost a set in four rounds.
In cool and comfortable conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Pegula won the putt and elected to serve. Swiatek lost 5/6 Serves first including a double fault to drop serve as Pegula misses 5/10 first serves, faced two points, but consolidated the break for 2-0.
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Swiatek continued to struggle on serve and with three more faults, including another double fault, broke serve. Pegula opened the fourth with two consecutive forehand errors and, despite facing deuce, consolidated the break with two wing winners.
Swiatek opened the fifth with a fantastic forehand down the line and held on dearly to get on the board as Pegula missed. 3/5 the first still serves 15 ABOUT 5-1. The five-time Grand Slam champion served to stay in the set and, while serving two unforced errors, held on 30 ABOUT 2-5.
Pegula served for the set with new balls and converted her first point of the set when Swiatek hit a backhand. Pegula had great success hitting the middle, drawing errors from her opponent.
Swiatek served first in the second and easily held 15 and Pegula tied it with two spectacular groundout winners. Swiatek served four backhand errors to drop serve. Pegula lost 3/6 The first serve committed two unforced errors including a double fault and returned the break.
Swiatek served up three straight faults and faced deuce still holding for him 3-2 while Pegula did 4/4 first served and lovingly kept level. #1 the seed continued to burst into service and out of the ground. She faced four deuces and three break points and dropped serve when she fouled an inside-out forehand.
Pegula kept a lid on her emotions as the set drew to a close. She did 4/5 first it is easy to serve and maintain 15 to consolidate the break. Swiatek serving with new balls and to stay in the match, did 5/6 first serves and is held for him 30 with a wonderful inside-out wing winner.
Pegula served for the match and a place in the final four. She opened with a superb cross-hand winner and converted her third match point when Swiatek hit a backhand cross.
In just under ninety minutes, 6the seed knocked him down 2022 US Open Champion and World #1. It was an elevated and disciplined performance by NY native She played with prudence and controlled aggression to confuse 5-time Grand Slam champion.
She won a surprising victory 77First % and 53% of second serve points and was just as effective on the return, winning 44First % and 53% of second serve return points. She escaped 2/3 breakpoints during conversion 4/8 and hit twelve winners on twenty-two unforced errors.
In the penultimate round, she will fight 2023 US Open semi-finalist and former world #8 Karolina Muchova. The 28-year-old from the Czech Republic is unseeded as she works her way back into the rankings following wrist surgery earlier in the season. This will be their second meeting at the tournament level having competed last month in the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati which the American took in three.
