No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula came from a set down to advance to her fifth semifinal of 2023 at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, defeating Elina Svitolina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and eight minutes.
Pegula confessed that her two wins over Svitolina in 2021 and winning in DC previously played a huge part in sparking her self-belief that she could be a top level player. Svitolina, who returned to the tour in April after having a baby in October was coming off a semifinal run last month at Wimbledon, where she eliminated No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
“It helps me feel more comfortable,” Pegula said. “I’ve played a lot of matches on this court. I always love coming back.”
In the pair’s first match since Indian Wells in 2021, Pegula is now 3-1 against the Ukrainian. The American is a former champion in Washington, having lifted her maiden trophy at DC in 2019.
The opening set had just one break point between both players. Svitolina converted in the fifth game after Pegula slipped into a rare combination of errors. The match blew wide open in the second set when both players raised their intensity. Both scored four winners each in the opener, Pegula and Svitolina totaled 11 winners each in the second set.
Pegula’s forehand was incredibly consistent and it also allowed her to build up her rhythm into the decider. A perfect placed forehand garnered her an immediate break. This would be a lead that she ultimately maintained through the end of the match.
Pegula’s offensive prowess was more precise in key moments than Svitolina. Pegula hit 27 winners to 25 unforced errors, whereas Svitolina’s 23 winners were outweighed by 31 unforced errors. Svitolina failed to convert on attempts at finishing shots.
“I think we play very similar as well, we’re very solid from both sides, so I knew it was going to be a tough match, and that’s what it was,” Pegula said.
Pegula would be able to capitalize on Sviotlinas lack of conviction midway in the third set. But she still had to work hard to hold off Svitolina. The Ukrainian kept threatening to take control of the match. She decimated the American with several passing shots as she kept chipping away at Pegula.
Pegula saved five break-back points to hold for 4-2, before Svitolina staved off two match points she faced on her own serve. Svitolina held a break point to equalize at 5-5, but Pegula would persevere with two dazzling backhands down the line. She would convert her third match point with a service winner.
“I was like, ‘If I don’t serve this out, it might have been a quick 5-7.’ I probably would have lost,” Pegula said.
“I was so tired, I know that sounds terrible to say. That’s not what you’re supposed to be thinking but… this dress used to be [this color], I sweated through the entire thing. It was cooler out today, but super humid.” Pegula said with a grin.
Pegula will face either No. 4 seed Maria Sakkari or No. 7 seed Madison Keys for a chance at her second final of the season.
Stay tuned for more breaking tennis coverage and updates.
Featured Image courtesy of Mubadala Citi DC Open
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