Jessica Pegula is returning to the US Open semifinals with a refreshed outlook, determined to build on the lessons from her runner-up finish last year. The American, seeded fourth in New York, admitted she carried the sting of her 2024 final loss to Aryna Sabalenka for months but now approaches this year’s rematch with a steadier mindset and an appreciation for her journey.
How Did Jessica Pegula Reflect on Her Journey Back to the Final Four?
Pegula, making her ninth appearance at the US Open, has shown consistency throughout the fortnight. She powered through Mayar Sherif, Anna Blinkova, Victoria Azarenka, Ann Li, and Barbora Krejčíková to reach the last four for the second straight year.
Title chase is 🔛
Last year’s runner-up Pegula takes down Krejcikova in straights! pic.twitter.com/OZMdKqsyL7
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2025
Her reward is another high-stakes clash with World No. 1 Sabalenka, who owns a commanding 7-2 advantage in their head-to-head record. The Belarusian denied Pegula her first Grand Slam title in last year’s final, winning in straight sets, a result that left the American dwelling more on her mistakes than her achievement.
In her post-match press conference after defeating Krejčíková in the quarterfinals, Pegula reflected on how her mentality has shifted since last year’s loss.
“I think it would be cool to be able to get revenge, obviously. I didn’t even remember the score. I think I saw, was it like five and five last year? 7-5? I didn’t even remember it being that close, which was kind of funny, because I think after the final I was just so like, wow, we should be in a third set right now,” Pegula said.
She admitted she was critical of her own performance immediately after the match. “There are so many things, I didn’t serve well, I could have gotten better. I wasn’t like, ‘Oh, what a great match, I’m happy to be in the finals.’ I literally walked off the court and told my coach, ‘I didn’t serve that well, my serve needs to get better, I didn’t do this well, I didn’t do that well.’ That’s just the mentality I have.”
Still, time has given her a different perspective. Pegula noted how fan support and reflection made her appreciate last year’s run. “I tend to look at how I can get better so quickly, which is good, but also, in a way, I think coming into this year, seeing the feedback from all the fans and how much support I’ve gotten, I was like, ‘Wow, actually last year was pretty incredible.’”
Pegula said she now views the run differently, acknowledging that Sabalenka was in rare form during that stretch. “I went on a crazy run and I played someone who just happened to be playing an even 5% crazier run than me, winning Cincinnati, beating me in the finals, and then going on to win the US Open. I didn’t even know the score, and I was like, ‘Wow, I was right there.’”
How Is Pegula Approaching Aryna Sabalenka Differently This Time?
With that perspective, she embraces the moment rather than dwelling on her flaws. “So I think this year I’ve come back with a different perspective, knowing that I wasn’t playing well, to really enjoy the fact that this is pretty cool, that I’ve had really good results here and I have so much support. That’s been really nice,” she said.
Looking ahead to the semifinal, Pegula said her approach will focus on balance. “I would probably have that mentality instead of being so focused on what I have to do so strongly. I’d be more into competing, enjoying the crowd a little bit more, and enjoying the fact that I’m in this position again to possibly be in another final, playing the best player in the world. I think there are a lot of other perspectives I would take into it this time.”
The semifinal between Pegula and Sabalenka is scheduled for Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The winner of the match will take on either the 23rd seed Naomi Osaka or the eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in the championship match.
