Ekaterina Alexandrova follows up Miami win over Iga Swiatek by ousting Jessica Pegula
The 29-year-old had never beaten a Top 10 opponent from a set down until Wednesday evening's quarterfinal tussle.
Two days after ousting Iga Swiatek for her first win over a world No. 1, Alexandrova followed it up by denying fifth-ranked Jessica Pegula a return to the semifinals.
Struggling to find the court initially, Alexandrova gained more control in the pair’s rallies to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory Wednesday evening inside Hard Rock Stadium. It was her first win from a set down over a Top 10 foe in 26 attempts (according to the World Feed).
“I think it’s more important for me that I won this particular match. It was incredible, it was so difficult to play against her,” Alexandrova said in her on-court interview with Andrew Krasny. “To play this match until the end and win, it’s the biggest achievement for me today on this court and semifinal is a great bonus. I’m super pleased right now.”
Pegula lost just one first serve in the opening set, locating deep targets to combat the opposition’s return position on the baseline. Of the 28 points she won over those nine games played, 18 were courtesy of unforced errors from Alexandrova's end of the court.
The No. 14 seed immediately reset to open set two with a break. Finding more range and effectively using her crosscourt forehand, Alexandrova eventually served for a decider at 5-2. Though her opponent wiped one break deficit off the scoreboard, Alexandrova served it out the second time of asking.
After four holds launched the final set, Alexandrova’s baseline pressure saw Pegula fire 73 and 69 m.p,h. second serves in succession. The Russian clubbed two deep returns down the middle to earn both points for the break. Pegula showed her grit in the following game, getting back on serve after converting her fourth break point chance.
Two games later, Pegula wiped away a break point with just enough pace change on her forehand dropper to draw a long reply. But Alexandrova kept the big strikes coming, working her way forward to create another opportunity. A redirected backhand up the line set up another forehand crosscourt punch that Pegula couldn’t handle to put the match on Alexandrova’s racquet—and she shut the door when Pegula’s final shot found the net.
Alexandrova finished with 40 winners to 61 unforced errors, and won three fewer points than Pegula. The victory saw her improve upon her 2023 Miami showing after falling to eventual title holder Petra Kvitova in the last eight.
Before ousting Swiatek and Pegula for her second WTA 1000 semifinal, the 29-year-old previously knocked out Donna Vekic and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Danielle Collins stands between Alexandrova and a biggest career final. The former Australian Open runner-up returned to this stage of the tournament for the first time since 2018 after dismissing Caroline Garcia, 6-3, 6-2.
“Right now, I'm timing the ball really well. I think I have made some physical adjustments too that's kind of helped me be able to kind of control my shots more and hit them with more accuracy and precision. I have been working on that for a while,” the American told press
Collins is seeking her first title since 2021 San Jose, when she won her second career WTA trophy in the span of three weeks.