Jessica Pegula ‘was about to burst into tears’ before stunning comeback to set up US Open final with Aryna Sabalenka

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Jessica Pegula looked set to fall short in her first major semi-final against Karolina Muchova on Thursday, but a superb comeback from a set and a break down instead sent her into the US Open final. "It was embarrassing, she was destroying me," Pegula admitted about the start of the match. She will face Aryna Sabalenka for the trophy after the world No. 2 beat Emma Navarro in straight sets.

Highlights: Sabalenka and Pegula battle through to set up US Open final

Video credit: SNTV

American Jessica Pegula produced a stirring comeback to reach her first Grand Slam final on home soil at the US Open, setting up another showdown with world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.

Pegula came from a set, break and break point down to beat Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-4 6-2 on a remarkable night at Flushing Meadows.

The win saw her reach her first major final at the age of 30, having previously never gone beyond the quarter-finals of a Slam - losing at that stage on six separate occasions.

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"I came out flat, but she was playing unbelievable, she made me look like a beginner," Pegula said.

"I was about to burst into tears because it was embarrassing, she was destroying me.

"I don't know how I turned that around, honestly."

'It's a childhood dream' - Pegula on producing inspired comeback to reach US Open final

Video credit: SNTV

The in-form Czech Muchova got off to a stunning start to their semi-final clash, dropping just one game in a one-sided opening set where she landed 11 winners.

Things looked like they could unravel further for Pegula when the American found herself 2-0 down in the second and staring down break point.

But she dug in, saving the break point before wrestling back control with stronger hitting to take the second set 6-4.

That filled Pegula with confidence as she immediately broke in the third, helped by some deep returns, and some sparkling shot-making from Muchova wasn’t enough to arrest the New York native’s momentum.

The win saw 30-year-old Pegula become the oldest American to reach her first Grand Slam final.

The world No. 6 has now won 15 of her last 16 matches, having clinched the Toronto title and reached the Cincinnati Open final in her last two tournaments before the US Open – losing to Sabalenka in the final of the latter.

“Playing Aryna is going to be really tough,” Pegula said.

“She showed how tough she is [in the first semi] and why she’s probably the favourite to win this tournament.

“It’ll be a rematch of Cincinnati, so hopefully I can get some revenge out here. It’s kind of crazy that we’re playing each other again in the finals, but I think it just shows how much great hard-court tennis we’ve been playing. She’s going to be tough to beat, but that’s what the finals are for, so I’m ready.”

Sabalenka roars back into final

What Pegula lacks in Grand Slam deep-run experience, Sabalenka has in buckets.

The Belarusian downed 13th seed American Emma Navarro 6-3 7-6(2) in the ninth major semi-final of her career.

Sabalenka, the second seed in New York, will now aim to win the US Open for the first time and add to the Australian Open crowns that she claimed in 2023 and 2024.

She was a finalist last year at Flushing Meadows, but suffered defeat to Coco Gauff.

After that experience and taking on Navarro, Sabalenka is well versed in what it takes to face American players backed by the home crowd ahead of her battle with Pegula.

"Well now you're cheering for me, it's a bit too late," a smiling Sabalenka said after the match.

"It really means a lot and even though you guys were supporting her, I still had goosebumps for you cheering."

Sabalenka also promised “margaritas for everyone” after previously vowing to buy the crowd drinks if they cheered for her.

'Just focus on yourself' - Sabalenka highlights key to semi-final win over Navarro

Video credit: SNTV

The powerful Australian Open champion rattled in 16 winners in an aggressive opening set to take charge.

Navarro’s challenge waned when she went 4-2 down in the second, but the American managed to get a crucial break to level up the set and force a tie-break.

There, Sabalenka was unflappable as she dominated with a run of seven points in a row, taking the first match point available.

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