Jessica Pegula secured her first Australian Open semifinal spot by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(1) at Rod Laver Arena. Pegula, ranked World No. 6, displayed a dominant performance, continuing her successful streak against American players at Grand Slam events. This victory marks Pegula’s third major semifinal appearance and the first outside the US Open, setting up a clash with Elena Rybakina.
Pegula made history by becoming the first American woman in over 30 years to defeat three compatriots in a single Australian Open, having previously triumphed over McCartney Kessler and defending champion Madison Keys. In her on-court interview, Pegula expressed her excitement about breaking through at the tournament, highlighting her confidence in her performance and the favorable playing conditions in Melbourne.
Despite previous setbacks in four Australian Open quarterfinals, Pegula took charge early in the match, showcasing strong play and breaking Anisimova twice to claim the first set. The second set saw a more competitive battle as Anisimova fought back, pushing Pegula to a tiebreak. However, Pegula’s exceptional performance in the tiebreak, marked by aggressive serving and precise returns, secured her victory.
Pegula’s win extends her unbeaten record against Anisimova to 4-0 on the WTA Tour and marks her eighth consecutive Grand Slam triumph over an American opponent.
