Pegula Rallies with Home Crowd Support to Reach First U.S. Open Final"

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Jessica Pegula credits the electrifying support of the home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium for helping her make a stunning comeback against Karolina Muchova in the U.S. Open semi-finals. The American sixth seed found herself trailing after a rough first set, losing 1-6, and down 2-0 in the second. However, Pegula fought back, fueled by the crowd’s energy, to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, and reach her first major final.

"The crowd really helped me get some adrenaline into me... I was just very, very flat," Pegula said, reflecting on how the fan support sparked her resurgence.

Facing world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals left Pegula feeling more nervous, but the 30-year-old managed to shake off the jitters. Now, with the final against second seed Aryna Sabalenka looming, Pegula plans to take lessons from her loss to Sabalenka in last month’s Cincinnati Open.

"She served unbelievable... I have to get her moving, serve smart, and put some pressure on her serve," Pegula remarked.

Born in New York, Pegula said it was a dream come true to reach the U.S. Open final, and winning the title would be a pinnacle achievement in her career.

"If you would have told me at the beginning of the year I'd be in the finals of the U.S. Open, I would have laughed," she added.