Pegula wallops Paolini and Sabalenka blitzes Gauff, the two winners moving into the semi-finals
Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka delivered excellent performances in seeing off Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff respectively, setting up enticing semi-finals against Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova.
Pegula, who played superbly in losing to Sabalenka earlier in the week, dominated Paolini – struggling with illness – from start to finish, her forehand particularly effective in 6-2 6-3 victory.
In the day’s second match, Gauff began superbly, her serve and forehand looking much improved as she took a 4-2 15-40 lead. But just as she looked poised to seize the first set, Sabalenka found her best self, saving the break points with two service winners, then responding from advantage down with three aces in a row.
Gauff, though, stuck with her, holding under pressure to secure a tiebreak and earning its first mini-break. But again, Sabalenka responded well to pressure, fighting back to snaffle the set before dominating the second, breaking twice to lead 4-0 before closing out the match to send the champion home.
It’s in interesting thing, actually: how some players are better when on the edge and others when perfectly chill. I’m not sure which Sabalenka is because when she’s emotional, she can deliver brlliance, but might also implode; either way, she’s the best in the world and it’s not that close.
