Pegula ends American drought with WTA semi-final

Jessica Pegula completed a 180-degree turnaround at the WTA Finals as she put an American into the semi-finals for the first time since 2018.

The No. 5 who lost all three of her group matches at the year-ender a year ago in Texas, reversed her losing trend in style by winning her third match and booking a final four spot in Cancun, Mexico.

She defeated Greek Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-2 to conclude group play at the eight-woman event.

The last American to get this far at the season wrapup was Sloane Stephens five years ago in Singapore.

 Pegula, 29, whose billionaire family owns the Buffalo Bills NFL football side,  is something of a late bloomer, reaching the Top 100 only at age 25.

“This year, I’ve had, I think, more confidence in those (big) matches. 

“That’s why I’ve had some better top wins this year as far as beating No.1 players in the world in big moments, like here (Aryna Sabalenka) and in Montreal (which she won in August).”

Pegula leads the WTA in hard-court match wins with 44.

“Every match, you’re always gonna feel different. But I think the more you put yourself in those situations, the better you feel when they come up again,” she said.

“It doesn’t feel like you have to panic as much. Sometimes you don’t always feel like that. Sometimes you might freak out. 

“But the point is, I’ve been through those moments before.”