Despite a history of five consecutive losses to Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula turned the tables by defeating the world’s number one player in straight sets, advancing to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico.
29-year-old Pegula finally secured her win on the seventh match point, finishing with a 6-4, 6-3 scoreline against the Belarusian player, who seemed out of sorts, committing 33 unforced errors.
Meanwhile, in another match, Elena Rybakina bested Maria Sakkari in a close contest that ended 6-0, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-2). Rybakina is set to square off against Sabalenka on Thursday evening to determine the second individual to move on from their group.
Pegula, who is American, managed to pull off a win against Rybakina on the preceding Sunday. Her recent form is impressive; she’s racked up wins in her last five encounters against players in the top 10. Speaking about her newfound comfort level against top-tier competition, she said, “I don’t think it’s that much of a big deal anymore.”
Reflecting on her mindset, she continued, “Last year, after cracking the top five, I think I let it mess with my head a little. Questions started popping up like, ‘Do I even belong at this elite level?'”
Sabalenka, on the other hand, struggled to adapt to the conditions on the newly built Estadio Paradisus court, likening the playing surface to “leather.” The 25-year-old Belarusian is among multiple players who have voiced concerns about the court’s condition during this week’s event.
Commenting on the unpredictability of the court, Sabalenka said, “You can’t ever really predict whether the court’s bounce is going to be your friend or your foe.” Clearly, for her, the latter was true on this particular day. “Still, I’m not throwing in the towel. I have another shot to get out of the group stage, so I’ll be focusing on recovery and dissecting what went wrong. You can bet I’ll pull out all the stops in the next match.”
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s Group B clashes, Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova is slated to face Ons Jabeur. Meanwhile, the U.S. Open victor, Coco Gauff, will be going racket-to-racket against Iga Swiatek.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about WTA Finals
Who advanced to the semi-finals in the WTA Finals held in Cancun?
Jessica Pegula advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, by defeating the world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
What was the scoreline of the match between Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka?
Jessica Pegula won with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-3 against Aryna Sabalenka.
What significant milestone did Jessica Pegula reach with this victory?
Jessica Pegula secured her fifth consecutive win against top-10 players with this victory, stating that she feels “more comfortable” playing against top-tier competition this year.
Who will Elena Rybakina be playing next?
Elena Rybakina will be facing Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday evening to determine the second qualifier from their group in the WTA Finals.
What concerns did Aryna Sabalenka express about the playing conditions?
Aryna Sabalenka likened the newly constructed Estadio Paradisus court surface to “leather.” She is among several players who have raised concerns about the court’s condition at this week’s tournament.
What matches are set to take place in Wednesday’s Group B?
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova will take on Ons Jabeur, and U.S. Open winner Coco Gauff will face off against Iga Swiatek in Wednesday’s Group B matches.
What did Jessica Pegula say about her comfort level against top players?
Jessica Pegula mentioned that she feels “more comfortable” facing top players this year, and she doesn’t think it’s as big of a deal as she once thought.
Did Aryna Sabalenka have any previous wins against Jessica Pegula?
Yes, Aryna Sabalenka had won her five previous meetings against Jessica Pegula before this match.
Are there any other players who have voiced concerns about the court conditions?
Yes, Aryna Sabalenka is one of several players who have complained about the condition of the court at this week’s WTA Finals tournament in Cancun.
What is Jessica Pegula’s nationality?
Jessica Pegula is an American tennis player.
More about WTA Finals
- WTA Finals Official Site
- Jessica Pegula’s Player Profile
- Aryna Sabalenka’s Career Stats
- Elena Rybakina’s Recent Matches
- Maria Sakkari’s Tournament History
- Player Reactions to Cancun Court Conditions
- Upcoming Matches in WTA Finals Group B
- Top 10 Women’s Tennis Rankings
10 comments
Sabalenka’s still got a chance, she just needs the right vibe. Maybe blast some motivational tunes in her ear before the next game. Trust me, it works.
Sabalenka comparing the court to leather is pure gold. LOL. what’s next? someone gonna say it feels like walking on clouds?
Anyone know what tech they’re using for line calls and stats in this tourney? Pretty slick stuff if u ask me.
Kudos to Pegula! Feeling more comfy against top players, huh? Must be listening to some pump-up jams before hitting the court. Got any playlist suggestions?
Rybakina and Sakkari had me on the edge of my seat, not gonna lie. What a match. Can’t wait to see how Rybakina fares against Sabalenka.
I can’t believe Sabalenka lost in straight sets. What’s goin’ on? Also, is anyone else concerned bout these court conditions? Sounds sketchy…
Whoa! Pegula really shook things up, huh? didnt see that comin, specially with her track record against Sabalenka. Game changer!
Lookin’ forward to the match between Vondrousova and Jabeur. Should be lit! Also, Coco Gauff’s got this, calling it now.
Sabalenka’s off day could be anyone’s off day. These athletes are human, after all. Let’s not forget her talent just cuz of one hiccup.
If these court conditions are such a big deal, why isnt there tech to make ’em better? Like, c’mon, we can put a man on the moon but can’t get a tennis court right?