Jessica Pegula’s Billie Jean King Cup journey took a dramatic turn, from singles heartbreak to doubles redemption. After falling in straight sets to Elena Rybakina, the American star opened up in a statement about the tough conditions and how she managed to reset her mindset.
That reset proved crucial, as Pegula bounced back with Taylor Townsend in doubles, sealing a hard-fought win that pushed Team USA into the semifinals. She recently opened up on the strategic mindset to prepare for the doubles redemption despite the disappointing straight-sets exit.
Jessica Pegula Opens Up on the Reset Strategy Following Team USA’s Victory Over Kazakhstan
In the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals vs Kazakhstan, Pegula was beaten in straight sets by Elena Rybakina, 6-4, 6-1. However, Pegula bounced back when it mattered. In the deciding doubles match, she teamed up with Taylor Townsend.
Despite going down a break in the second set, they fought back, saved key points, and won 6-2, 7-6(1) over Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva. That doubles win sealed the tie for the USA, sending them through to the semifinals.
After the action-packed quarterfinals, Pegula opened up on how she kept her levels intact despite facing the defeat. Sharing her strategy in a press conference following the doubles win, she said:
“I just took it as a challenge and wanted to kind of redeem myself a little bit out there against her, try and help my team get a win. Even though I wasn’t able to do it on the singles court, we had a chance to take it in doubles.”
Taylor Townsend and Jessica Pegula comeback from 1-4 down in the 2nd set, save two set points later in the set to beat Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-6(1).
USA d. KAZ 2-1 and return to the BJK Cup semifinals.
They will be favorites against JPN or GBR on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/NZrJTjul7h
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 18, 2025
Team USA will face Great Britain in the semifinal match on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. The Finals are being held in Shenzhen, China, at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center on indoor hard courts. Great Britain earned its spot by defeating Japan in straight singles matches in their quarterfinal tie.
Pegula Rates Her Playing Experience in Shenzhen
Besides unveiling her strategy to overcome the tough challenge against Kazakhstan, Pegula also opened up about the playing conditions in Shenzhen. Remembering the last time she played in the arena, she mentioned how the courts are quite suitable, along with appreciating the notable crowd support.
“Yeah, I played Shenzhen a long time ago, very long time ago, when there was a WTA event here. I think I did actually pretty well. That was the last time I was here before Australia one year,” she said.
“It’s nice being back. I always remembered it as being a really great city. Even though we played very early today, I think there was a lot of fans here, which was really fun and supportive. So far it’s been a great experience. The center court is awesome. I knew that WTA Finals was here. They have a great facility, a great setup,” she added.
The Shenzhen Open was a WTA hard-court tournament held in Shenzhen, China (played at the Longgang/Shenzhen tennis centre) that ran from 2013 until its last edition in 2020, before the event stopped after the COVID disruption.
Pegula did play at Shenzhen early in her career. She came through qualifying for the 2013 main draw but lost in the first round to Zhou Yi-miao 6-4, 6-2.
