Third Grand Slam semifinal for the WTA number 6, who dominates her compatriots abundantly: 14-1 in recent matches!

Two consecutive duels against compatriots, first Madison Keysthe title champion, then Amanda Anisimovaand Jessica Pegula punched his ticket to the third major semi-final of his career. This time, at the Australian Open, where he advances to the top four for the first time.

The precedents were both at the US Open in 2024, when he reached the final, and last year.

Pegula displayed her extremely clean game with accurate shots, in contrast to the mercurial evolution of her opponent. The first set went smoothly for the 6th favorite, but Anisimova had chances in the second. She did not capitalize on them, unable to show her best game, neither at work nor behind the court. Instead, he showed frustration, signs of helplessness.

He had a break for 5-3but immediately gave up the advantage. After a few games without both holding their serve, Jessica prevailed in the tie-break.

Jessica Pegula – Amanda Anisimova match summary

For the 31-year-old player, who had previously been in the “quarters” in Melbourne between 2021 and 2023, facing her compatriots brings her a lot of success: she has won 14 of the last 15 matches played. “Yes, I accept“, she said with a smile when told this remarkable statistic. “I have the right to brag. It's something to be proud of, especially in front of the younger girls. It's like saying:“Hey, you're not there yet, you've got a little bit left”“, she added.

By the time she turned 30, she had reached six Grand Slam quarterfinals, all of which she lost.

Jessica Pegula: “I think I've become a better player”

“When I think about other quarterfinal matches that I've lost, I feel like I don't know if I was really mentally focused,” she said in the press conference. “I think I was happy to get there and then I think I put too much pressure on myself to get to the next game“, he continued.

“But I think I've become a better player who knows better how to behave in this situation. I think I have more tools at my disposal. When you feel like you have more tools at your disposal when you're out on the field and things aren't going too well, that gives you a lot of confidence”, elaborated Jessica.

“When you feel like you're powerless, like I felt in some of the quarterfinals I've lost before, it's frustrating because you feel like there's nothing you can do to turn the match around. You just compete and hope something changes. In some of those matches, I felt like I wasn't the best player throughout the match. I'm proud of myself, the way I've been able to constantly improve,” she concluded. her.

Jessica Pegula in action at the 2026 Australian Open Photo: Guliver/GettyImages

Clash with Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals

Her opponent in the semifinals will be Elena Rybakina (26 years old, 5th WTA), who eliminated Iga Swiatek (24 years old, world number 2) in the quarterfinals. The two have met 6 times so far, the balance being balanced, 3-3.

“It will be difficult. When someone serves the way she does, she will always be there in the match. And not just the service, but also the return. He has a complete game, a power game. We met recently at the Tournament of Champions“, recalled Pegula, then defeated 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. “I'm going to watch that match again, see if I can change anything. But, yes, another strong opponent, it's common these days“, she concluded.