Pegula's Comeback Triumph: From Defeat to Grand Slam Final

Jessica Pegula overcame a dismal start to her U.S. Open semifinal against Karolína Muchová, rallying from a 6-1 first-set loss to secure a berth in her first Grand Slam final. The American's resilience and Muchová's cooling form were key factors in the dramatic turnaround.

Jessica Pegula's journey to her maiden Grand Slam final was far from smooth sailing. The 30-year-old faced a dominant display from Karolína Muchová in the U.S. Open semifinal, losing the opening set with alarming ease.

Pegula's Comeback Triumph: From Defeat to Grand Slam Final

Muchova took charge of the first set, winning 6-1. She controlled 30 of the set's 44 points and contributed to 10 of the match's first 12 winners. The set concluded swiftly, lasting just 28 minutes.

Playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal, Pegula struggled to find her rhythm. "I came out flat, but she was playing unbelievable. She made me look like a beginner," Pegula remarked."I was about to burst into tears, because it was embarrassing. She was destroying me."

Pegula's Comeback Triumph: From Defeat to Grand Slam Final

The beginning of the second set mirrored the first, with Muchová threatening to take a commanding 3-0 lead. However, Pegula refused to succumb to defeat and held her nerve, staving off break point. That game marked a turning point for Pegula, who surged ahead and won nine of the following 11 games.

"I was able to find a way, find some adrenaline, find my legs. And then at the end of the second set, into the third set, I started to play like how I wanted to play. It took a while," Pegula explained.

Pegula's Comeback Triumph: From Defeat to Grand Slam Final

Moreover, Muchová's performance began to decline. After winning all seven points at the net in the first set, her success rate dropped to 15 for 29. Her unforced error count also rose from seven in the first set to 33 in the second and third.

Pegula capitalized on Muchová's cooling form, completely reversing the momentum to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. Her triumph secures her a place in the U.S. Open women's final.

In the final, Pegula will encounter the formidable Aryna Sabalenka, the world's number 2 ranked player. The two have met recently, with Sabalenka defeating Pegula in the hard-court Cincinnati Open in August.

"Hopefully," Pegula said, "I can get some revenge out here."

Pegula's pursuit of vengeance against Sabalenka will unfold on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.