Jessica Pegula survived a resilient Alja Tomljanovic and secured her place in the ATX Open final this Sunday. The world No. 4 overcame moments of inconsistency and delivered a brilliant third set to advance to her second final of the season with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 win.
The American No. 2 becomes the first local player to reach the final in the tournament’s third edition. She will face the winner between McCartney Kessler (5th) and Greet Minnen in the second match of the night.
First Set
The first set was generally dominated by Pegula, who, after securing an early break, saw Tomljanovic break back immediately. From then on, the differences in power and speed of shots were evident, with Pegula outplaying her opponent in almost every exchange.
Despite this, several games were closely contested, with Pegula managing to come through in key points. She converted 4 of her 10 break-point opportunities and saved 2 of the 3 break points she faced. Tomljanovic, who only won 38% of points on her serve, could not hold serve once, and Pegula took the set 6-1.
Second Set
Pegula began the match confidently, holding her serve, but Tomljanovic’s determination started to challenge her. After defending her service game for the first time, the Australian gained confidence, breaking Pegula twice in a row to take a surprising 4-1 lead.
Pegula aims for 7th career title and third WTA 250 title
Pegula’s level dropped significantly, as her first serve percentage fell to just 40%, and her unforced errors jumped from 3 in the first set to 17 in the second. After no further scares for either side, Tomljanovic won the set 6-4 in 44 minutes, sending the match into a deciding third set with Pegula’s confidence shaken.
Third Set
The world No. 4 got off to a strong start, holding her serve and then securing a near-gift break when Tomljanovic hit two double faults. Pegula took the lead 2-0. Although she faced a break against her, she quickly broke back and held on to her serve to stay in front.
Tomljanovic won 8 of the last 9 points on her serve but was never able to recover the break deficit. The Australian finishes her tournament with a positive note, as she will climb 18 spots in the rankings and return to the top-100.
On the other hand, Pegula will play in her second final of the season—her first was a loss to Madison Keys at the Adelaide International. She will face the winner of McCartney Kessler and Greet Minnen in search of her first title since August 2024 at the Canadian Open.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
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- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
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- Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.mandoist05-11-2026
- Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.mandoist31-10-2026
