Jessica Pegula reached her first-ever Grand Slam final after her dramatic semi-final comeback win over Karolina Muchova at the 2024 US Open.
The American recovered from losing eight of the first nine games of the last four showdown to defeat Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 after a pulsating two hours and 13 minutes in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Pegula is making her 23rd Grand Slam main draw appearance and she had not previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals, having fallen at the last eight stage on six occasions.
The 30-year-old will face two-time Australian Open winner and world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
In her on-court interview, Pegula looked ahead to what will be a rematch of last month’s Cincinnati Open final, which Sabalenka won 6-3, 7-5.
“I mean she showed how tough she is, and why she’s probably the favourite to win this tournament,” said the world No 6.
“It’ll be a rematch of Cincinnati, so hopefully I can get some revenge out here. But I am happy to have a day off. It’s kind of crazy that we’re playing each other again in the finals.”
