“Finally, I can say I’m a semifinalist,” Jessica Pegula said after defeating Iga Swiatek in the US Open QFs. But it was not the end, but a stepping stone to another milestone of her career—reaching her maiden Grand Slam final! After her last six quarterfinal exits from the Grand Slams, Pegula is aiming for a title in the US Open, an event where she made her major singles debut almost a decade ago. And in a moment like this, a tennis legend’s praise, like Chris Evert’s, can be the ultimate validation!

Do you recall when Chris Evert won her inaugural U.S. Open championship in 1975, kickstarting a streak of four consecutive titles? Fast forward 49 years later, and her compatriot, Jessica Pegula, has now rallied past Czechia’s Karolina Muchova to reach her maiden Slam finals. She will soon lock horns against Aryna Sabalenka, the 2023 runner-up at the event. For Pegula, it was a “childhood dream,” one that she acquired after immense hard work. “I’m just happy to be in a final, but obviously I come here to want to win the title,” said the 30-year-old, who will now fight for her seventh singles title. 

In a nod of approval, the six-time US Open champion, Evert, shared the same enthusiasm on X and wrote, “So happy for @JPegula reaching her first final of a Slam! No one deserves it more than her…👏💪🏼👍❤️.”  

While Chris Evert’s sincere congratulations will undoubtedly uplift Jessica Pegula, her recent commentary during Pegula’s match against Iga Swiatek raised eyebrows among fans. Some accused her of showing ‘bias’ towards the Polish player.

Moreover, during the 2023 WTA Finals, Evert received backlash when she predicted, “Iga didn’t have a great Wimbledon and US Open, and she lost No. 1, I’m picking Jessie to win Wimbledon [next year],” when Swiatek was on the verge of winning the match and eventually won it.

Nevertheless, Pegula is enjoying her best career results in the 2024 US Open and is now the fourth WTA player to qualify for all three finals in the North American hard-court swing in the Open Era! Moreover, the American player, who was sidelined earlier this year due to her rib injuries, successfully defended her Canadian title as well. But the path wasn’t as easy as it seems, and she talked about the “small moments,” that dictated her victory.

Jessica Pegula on the “small moments that flip momentum” for her maiden US Open semis win

Picture this. During the first set of Jessica Pegula’s US Open semifinals, it was Muchova who gained control (1-6). Speaking about it, the 30-year-old stated how she “came out flat,” in the beginning. “She was playing unbelievable. She made me look like a beginner,” said Pegula, who now holds a 2-0 lead over Muchova.

Pegula was on the verge of tears because of the “embarrassment,” and how she “destroyed” her while dominating the court. However, the American player introspected and soon bounced back and won in the following two sets: 6-4, 6-2! Her mindset was clear. “I was thinking, ‘All right. That was kind of lucky. You’re still in this. It comes down to really small moments that flip momentum.” 

The No. 6 seed, who lost to her compartriot Madison Keys in the round of 16 match in the US Open last year, has now a record of winning 15 of her last 16 matches! Her resurgence to tennis is remarkable and with Evert leading the cheers, Pegula is poised to make the most of this groundbreaking opportunity, leaving an indelible mark on the tennis world.