Jessica Pegula rallies past Karolina Muchova and into US Open final
The 30-year-old trailed by a set and a break before making another major breakthrough.
Jessica Pegula has reached her first career Grand Slam singles final with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Karolina Muchova at the US Open.
Muchova dominated an off-target and frustrated Pegula from the start. The turning point came when Pegula trailed by 2-0, and faced break point, in the second set. The 30-year-old American scrambled to win that point, one that Muchova seemingly had in hand, and began a run of four consecutive games.
"I was thinking...you're still in this," Pegula said of that moment. "I was able to just hold into that game, and find a way."
After salting away the second set, Pegula took a 4-2, 40-0 lead on her Czech opponent in the decider. Muchova managed to get to deuce, and even earned a break point. But Pegula held strong, held serve, and pulled away for her second breakthrough victory in as many nights.
"I don't know how I turned that around, honestly," she said.
The Buffalo, N.Y. native will now face Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Pegula in the Cincinnati final just a few weeks ago, on Saturday for the title.
We will have much more on this match, and Pegula's next match, coming shortly on TENNIS.com.