Jessica Pegula's US Open journey has been filled with emotional moments and impressive victories. Pegula, the No. 6 seed, started her campaign with a poignant win over her friend Shelby Rogers, who announced her retirement. Pegula's success has been a testament to her perseverance and talent, as she didn't reach her first major quarterfinal until the age of 26 and cracked the top 20 at 27.
Now, at 30, Pegula is on the cusp of her first Slam semifinal after defeating Diana Shnaider in straight sets. Pegula's path to the semifinal includes a challenging match against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, whom she has beaten before. Despite facing setbacks like injuries earlier in her career, Pegula's determination has propelled her to new heights.
Pegula's rise in the tennis world has been steady, with notable achievements like reaching her first major quarterfinal in 2021 and breaking into the top 10. She currently holds a career-high ranking of No. 6 and is poised to potentially climb higher in the rankings.
While Pegula faced early exits at some majors this year, her injury absence may have worked in her favor by keeping her fresh for the latter part of the season. Her recent successes at the Canadian Open and Cincinnati have set the stage for her impressive US Open run.
With an undefeated record against American opponents in 2024 and a dominant performance in New York, Pegula's determination to win a major title is unwavering. As she aims to make history as the oldest American woman to reach her first major semifinal, Pegula's focus remains on achieving her ultimate goal of winning a Grand Slam.
