Perseverance pays off! Team USA celebrated a hard-fought victory in the United Cup quarterfinals in Perth, securing their spot in the semifinals. Leading the charge was none other than Coco Gauff, who kicked off the campaign with a gritty win over China’s Zhang Shuai. World No. 4 Taylor Fritz followed suit with a decisive victory over Zhang Zhizhen, putting Team USA firmly in control. The Americans completed a clean sweep with a 6-3, 6-7 (1), 10-3 win in mixed doubles by Desirae Krawczyk and Robert Galloway. Coco Gauff celebrated the victory on Instagram with photos, joined by teammate Jessica Pegula.

Just after the team got into the United Cup semis for the second year since 2023, Coco posted some pictures of her with team performance in Perth, quoting “thank you perth❤️! starting off 2025 strong by heading into the final four of @unitedcuptennis 🦅💪🏾 see you soon sydney 🫡”.

And, soon after, the former teammate of Coco, Jessica Pegula, added her remarks with “🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸”, showing her appreciation for her nation.

The path towards United Cup glory is scheduled for the USA as the team will take the winner of Italy vs Czechia on Saturday. Since she didn’t travel Down Under with Team USA, Pegula’s cheering them on to go all the way and claim the cup in the final.

Despite holding a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over Coco Gauff, Pegula surprisingly lost to her fellow American Coco Gauff in their recent group-stage match in the WTA Finals in Riyadh 6-3, 6-2. In addition, the US Open 2024 finalist Jessica Pegula also saw her season come to an abrupt end after withdrawing from the WTA Finals in Riyadh because of a left knee injury, just ahead of her highly anticipated round-robin clash against Iga Swiatek. 

However, adding the injury in perspective, Pegula might also want to forget her first Grand Slam final loss in her home country and look forward to the season coming.

Jessica Pegula gave herself a chance; yet lost at the US Open

The world number 9 Jessica Pegula had a rough season in 2024, winning only two singles titles, i.e., Berlin Open and National Bank Open. She also finished as a runner-up at the Cincinnati Open and US Open in 2024, where she lost both times against Aryna Sabalenka. However, among the two final losses in 2024, her loss to Sabalenka in 7-5, 7-5 was the most upsetting one in front of the home crowd in the US Open. 

“She can take the racquet out of your hand a lot of times. I was happy to fight back and give myself a chance…in the end it wasn’t enough, but I’m glad I was able to stay in it and keep giving myself opportunities,” she said at the post-match press conference.

Her comments were justified as she beat the best in the tournament, upsetting Iga Swiatek in QF in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 and beating Karolina Muchova in the Semis by beating her from the first set down. “I’m just annoyed I lost right now,” she said. “Everyone is like, ‘Congrats, amazing tournament.’ I’m like, ‘Eh, whatever.’ I think maybe once I decompress a little bit, I’m sure I will be a little bit more appreciative and see all of that. At some point.”

“I just have a lot of awareness and perspective of what my journey has been like,” she said of what makes her such a tough out on the court. “What’s always helped me as I have gotten higher ranked and become a better player is just keeping perspective,” she also added.

Given her recent knee injury that forced her to withdraw from the Brisbane International just a week ago, Jessica Pegula’s quick return to celebrate with her teammates is a testament to her resilience and dedication.