Jessica Pegula reaches US Open semifinals without dropping a set
Buffalo native Jessica Pegula has found herself in a US Open rematch sooner than she might have thought.
After the No. 4-ranked player cruised through her quarterfinal match against Barbora Krejčíková on Tuesday, Sept. 2, beating her in straight sets, Markéta Vondroušová withdrew before her quarterfinal match against No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka due to a knee injury.
Pegula lost to Sabalenka in her first Grand Slam final at the US Open last year and, at 31, is the oldest woman remaining in the singles tournament, USA TODAY reported. Pegula is the first woman to reach back-to-back U.S. Open semifinals without dropping a set since Serena Williams (2011-14) and is seeking her first Grand Slam championship.
“I feel really comfortable,” Pegula said after her quarterfinal win. “It’s crazy to feel this comfortable on the biggest court in the world with the craziest crowd and the best players. Ten years ago, I never thought I’d be good at this, but I guess I am.”
Here’s what to know.
Who is Jessica Pegula?
Pegula is the daughter of Buffalo Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula and was born in Buffalo on Feb. 24, 1994. She has four siblings, including two from her father’s previous marriage.
Jessica married Taylor Gahagen in October 2021 on the Biltmore Estate and the two reside in Boca Raton, Florida. Together, they have a foundation called A Lending Paw, which teaches rescue dogs to be service animals, and Gahagen serves as the vice president of Jessica’s skincare company Ready 24, which markets beauty products for people with active lifestyles.
How to watch Jessica Pegula’s semifinals round
Date: Thursday, Sept. 4
Time: TBD
Where: Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens
TV: ESPN/ESPN Deportes
Streaming: ESPN+ and Fubo (free trial)
Contributing: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle producer Bill Wolcott
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Jessica Pegula reaches US Open semifinals without dropping a set
