Local
tennis star Jessica Pegula defeated Elina Svitolina in three sets and advanced
to the semifinals of the DC Open.
An
attractive duel unfolded in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 DC Open between
world No. 4 Jessica Pegula and one of the in-form players, Elina Svitolina, who
recently reached the quarterfinals of the French Open and the semifinals of
Wimbledon, marking a remarkable comeback after a year away from the courts.
The local
tennis star entered the tournament as the first seed, granting her a bye in the
first round. She defeated her compatriot Peyton Stearns in straight sets in the
round of 16, setting up a clash with the Ukrainian.
Svitolina
faced two major challenges, taking on former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka
(currently world No. 19) and the 5th seed Dariia Kasatkina (currently world No.
11). She overcame both opponents without dropping a set, showcasing a high
level of tennis.
The duel
began evenly with both players holding their serves in the early games.
Svitolina was the first to gain an advantage by securing a break in the fifth
game, the only one needed to claim the first set.
The
Ukrainian did not face any break points and capitalized on the only one
conceded by the North American. Both players displayed great effectiveness on
their serves, with the American winning 70% of service points and Svitolina
reaching 74%.
The second
set started better for Pegula, who quickly took a 3-0 lead after converting her
first break point in the second game. The world No. 4 maintained her serve for
the rest of the set, leveling the match with a 6-3 scoreline.
The
deciding set was the most tense, as Svitolina once again lost her serve at the
beginning, giving Pegula a partial advantage. In the sixth game, with Pegula
leading 3-2 and serving, Svitolina put her rival in real trouble for the first
time in the match, earning 5 break points. However, she couldn't capitalize on
them due to Pegula's consistency.
In the
ninth game, Pegula had two match points, but Svitolina fought back to apply
pressure on her rival, who had to serve to win the match. Although the
Ukrainian had a break opportunity, the North American held her ground and
clinched victory with her third match point.
In the
tournament's semifinals, Pegula will face the winner of the match between Maria
Sakkari and Madison Keys. Sakkari played in the first match of the day,
defeating Leylah Fernandez, and will have only a few hours of recovery before
facing Madison Keys, who defeated Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-0 yesterday.
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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