Pegula Triumphs Over Anisimova, Reaches First Australian Open Semifinal
Jessica Pegula has made history at the Australian Open by reaching her first semifinal. In an intense match against Amanda Anisimova, the fourth seed, Pegula triumphed with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (1). This victory, which took place in just 1 hour and 35 minutes, marks a significant milestone for Pegula.
Pegula’s Journey to the Semifinal
This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it comes five years after her last attempt at this stage, where she fell to Jennifer Brady in the 2021 quarterfinals. Reflecting on her journey, Pegula expressed her excitement, stating, “It’s awesome.” She highlighted her progress at Grand Slam tournaments, especially her performances at the US Open in recent years.
Key Matches Leading to the Semifinal
Pegula’s path to the Australian Open semifinal included notable victories over fellow American players:
- Defeated McCartney Kessler in the second round.
- Overcame defending champion Madison Keys in the fourth round.
- Outlasted Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals.
With this win, Pegula extends her winning streak against American players to eight consecutive victories in Grand Slam events. Additionally, her victory against Anisimova marked her fourth win against her at the WTA level, showcasing her dominance in these matchups.
Historical Significance
This semifinal appearance is Pegula’s third overall in Grand Slam history, but it’s her first outside of the US Open. She also etched her name into the record books as the first American woman to defeat three compatriots in a single Australian Open since Gigi Fernández achieved this in 1993.
Looking ahead, Pegula is set to face Elena Rybakina in the semifinals, as she aims for her first final appearance at a major tournament. The anticipation is palpable as fans await what promises to be an exciting match.
