Jessica Pegula defeated Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 6-7, 6-0, in the semi-finals of the Berlin Open.
The American was made to wait to secure her spot in the Berlin Open final, as rain suspended play when she led 3-1 in the second-set tiebreak.
Sabalenka fought back to take the second set when they returned, but Pegula refused to let that get to her, quickly recovering to take the final set 6-0.
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Pegula was delighted with the win and explained what makes Sabalenka the best player in the world during her post-match interview.
Jessica Pegula says Aryna Sabalenka’s fearlessness makes her the best player in the world
“Well, saw what she did yesterday, to come back in that match… I think how she came out playing this tiebreak – that’s what makes her the best,” said Pegula.
“She trusts in her game so much, she goes for her shots, she doesn’t back down, she plays pretty fearless.
“The way she’s able to execute in pressure moments, in Grand Slams and tournaments is incredible.
“For sure, she’s been the best player in the world, and every time we have played, they’ve been awesome matches.
Live WTA Rankings
- 1. Aryna Sabalenka – 9,090 points
- 2. Elena Rybakina – 8,143 points
- 3. Iga Swiatek – 6,733 points
- 4. Jessica Pegula – 6,380 points
- 5. Mirra Andreeva – 5,751 points
“I think we bring out some of the best in each other, our best level of tennis.
“Our last few matches have been really close.
“Our first time on grass, though, so I was trying to see if maybe that would help me win today!”
Pegula and Sabalenka have now met 13 times on tour, as the Belarusian leads their head-to-head 9-4.
The American knew she needed to be at her best to secure a rare win over the world number one, and delivered a near-perfect final set to do just that.
Pegula was asked if she had just played the best third set of her career.
“I don’t know, that was a high level!” she said.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula – Match stats
| Stats | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula |
| Aces | 9 | 5 |
| Double faults | 5 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% | 66% |
| Winners | 37 | 33 |
| Unforced errors | 41 | 25 |
| Break points | 1/7 | 5/16 |
| Total points | 89 | 109 |
“It was really tough coming out losing the tiebreak, I felt she came out and ripped a bunch of winners, I just wanted to tell myself that I wanted to win it the hard way anyways, and I guess I did.”
Pegula was then asked about her attitude on the court, as she stayed composed to secure her spot in Sunday’s final.
“I’m pretty laid back, I’m a pretty composed person, I like to take things in, and I’m very aware of what’s going on,” she said.
“I don’t get super emotional, that’s how I try to play, true to myself.
“A lot of people used to tell me when I was younger that I needed to yell more and jump up and down; honestly, it just feels like a waste of energy to me, so I just try to be myself out there, and that’s all that matters.”
Finally, Pegula commented on the importance of staying strong mentally on the grass.
“It’s so tough when a server is serving well; you’re getting a bad break with bounces and all of this other stuff,” she said.
“It’s hard, and I don’t always do it, but I think I did a great job today, of maybe sometimes, when I got a little unlucky or fought off a couple of tough bounces, I didn’t really let it affect me.
“I think you have to kind of embrace that mindset a little bit on grass, and then hope that karma comes your way a little bit.”
Pegula kept calm and secured her spot in the final, where she will meet Alex Eala or Linda Noskova.
Is Aryna Sabalenka really the best player in the world?
Statistically, of course she is, but there’s more to tennis than numbers.
The Belarusian hasn’t been at her best for a while now, and failed to impress at the Berlin Open.
After a straightforward win over Ekaterina Alexandrova in her opener, Sabalenka struggled past Nikola Bartunkova in the quarter-finals, before losing to Pegula in the semis.
She wasn’t playing brilliantly before the grass season either.
Sabalenka struggled, by her lofty standards, on the clay.
After winning the Sunshine Double on hard courts, Sabalenka failed to reach the semi-finals of the Madrid Open, Italian Open, or French Open.
Aryna Sabalenka’s performances since the Miami Open
- Madrid Open – Lost in QF to Hailey Baptiste (3 match wins)
- Italian Open – Lost in 3R to Sorana Cirstea (1 match win)
- French Open – Lost in QF to Diana Shnaider (4 match wins)
- Berlin Open – Lost in SF to Jessica Pegula (2 match wins)
She still has a healthy lead in the world rankings, and it will take some time for her to be dislodged from number one, but Sabalenka certainly doesn’t look like the dominant force she was earlier this year.
Sabalenka will be keen to prove doubters wrong at Wimbledon, which begins later this month.
