Jessica Pegula put up a brave, battling fight against Aryna Sabalenka, but ultimately lost to her in the US Open semi-finals.
For the Belarusian, it marks a second-straight run to this stage, and for the 31-year-old, it has been yet another exceptional two weeks regardless of this defeat.
Jessica Pegula clearly recognised this, as she cut an upbeat figure in her post-match press conference.
She swanned in, lollipop in hand, and gave an open and honest analysis of her loss.
However, she seemed to be almost baffled at her inability to do one thing in the third set that proved costly.
Jessica Pegula left baffled midway through her loss to Aryna Sabalenka
Speaking to reporters, she first rated the match, admitting: “Yeah, I thought it was really high level. I don’t really know what else to say.”
However, she then reviewed the level of both herself and Aryna Sabalenka, noting: “Like, I don’t know how I didn’t break back in the third. Like. I mean, I thought I played some really good points to win the first. She upped her level, started serving a lot better in the second, and then I felt like it was really even in the third. Like, it wasn’t there wasn’t that much difference.
“I felt like we were both serving pretty well. And she came up with some ridiculous shots, like, on my point. Like, I didn’t… I don’t feel like I did much wrong.
“So, yeah, it seemed like the level was really high and we were pushing each other every single game.”
Chris Evert had a message for Pegula immediately after her loss, seeking to encourage and uplift her compatriot after what has been yet another great tournament for her.
Aryna Sabalenka’s sensational 2025 continues
Despite having yet to pick up a Grand Slam title throughout 2025, few can argue against the unrelenting consistency she has posted.
After all, she began the year by surging into the Australian Open final, where she was dethroned by Madison Keys in completely unpredictable fashion.
Next up came Roland Garros, where she blew a one-set lead against Coco Gauff, before Amanda Anisimova ended her title charge at Wimbledon in the semi-finals.
Sabalenka is routinely making it to the latter stages of the sport’s very best competitions, with this US Open just her latest triumph.
It feels like, had things gone differently in those tight affairs, Saturday’s final could be for a calendar Grand Slam rather than her first major title of the year.
