Top-seeded Jessica Pegula is back to winning on the familiar courts of Washington. On Thursday, she pulled off an exciting comeback victory against Magdalena Frech in the Round of 16, and on Friday, she defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 7-5 to return to the semifinals at the Mubadala DC Open. This tournament holds a special place in her heart because it is where she won her very first professional title. More interestingly, she has a good luck charm in the form of former pro and tennis analyst Rennae Stubbs.
Jessica Pegula’s Emotional Return to DC Open as Rennae Stubbs Claims Good Luck Charm Status
Following her win against Frech on Thursday, Pegula caught up with tennis analyst Rennae Stubbs on court. Their post-match interview quickly turned nostalgic as they reflected on Pegula’s special connection to the Washington tennis courts.
Stubbs asked, “What are you happiest with being back here in Washington on the hardcore? What does it mean to you to be back in a place that really has brought you so much success?”
Pegula replied, “Yeah, I mean, I think you were here. Were you here when I won first time?”
Stubbs chimed in, “I was. Yes. I’m the good luck charm.” Pegula concluded with a smile, “You know, this place is always special to me. I mean, I won my first tour title, my first professional title ever, at this tournament in this stadium. So, thanks.”
And I never would have imagined that I’d have like 10 more. Like, there’s no way.
“I was like, ‘How am I ever going to do that again?,'” Pegula added. “You know, after the first one, it felt like such a monkey off my back. But no, it’s an honor to be in the stadium over there, I think, with all these other amazing players. And it’s an honor to be an American and play in the nation’s capital. So, I always love it.”
That memorable 2019 Citi Open (former name of DC Open) title victory was a turning point in Pegula’s career. The American won her maiden WTA singles title, defeating Camila Giorgi 6–2, 6–2 in the final. Stubbs was also present for that milestone, working as a commentator and analyst.
Against Frech, however, it was a comeback victory. Pegula openly admitted she started “just a little off,” struggling to attack early. Frech took the match’s opening set 6-3, but Pegula leveled the match by claiming the second set 6-3, then won the third one 6-0.
In the quarterfinal, Pegula beat Kalinskaya for the fifth time in six meetings. After beating Fręch, Pegula also admitted she had hoped not to face Kalinskaya again. “I saw her score before I came out here, and I’m like, ‘Sorry, Anna, but I’m kind of hoping I wasn’t going to have to face you.'”
Looking ahead to the next round, Pegula will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between No. 4 seed Diana Shnaider and Liudmila Samsonova in the semis.
