MATCH REPORT | 2024 US OPEN: Jessica Pegula powers through, books first major final in thrilling comeback against Karolina Muchova

World No. 6 Jessica Pegula pulls off a massive comeback against Karolina Muchova, advancing to the US Open final with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory. The 30-year-old American player reaches her first Grand Slam final and will face Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday for the title.

For the second consecutive year, an American will be in the final, following Coco Gauff's title. Pegula had a difficult start in the first set but rallied in one of the biggest wins of her career, securing her return to world No. 4.

From the start, Muchova came out looking for the win with solid service games, and as she has done throughout the tournament, constantly approached the net. After opening 1-1, the Czech took control of the match, capitalizing on Pegula’s unforced errors. The American won just 36% of the points on her first serve and 50% on her second.

The former French Open runner-up won the next five games in a row, taking two easy breaks after a good streak of points, and secured the first set 6-1 in just 28 minutes. The crowd tried to rally Pegula, but the American was far from the level she displayed in her quarterfinal win over Iga Swiatek.

The nightmare continued for Pegula as she opened the second set with another break against her, giving Muchova a 2-0 lead. The world No. 6 improved her first serve percentage to over 70%, ahead of Muchova’s 56%. Pegula finally showed confidence when everything seemed against her, winning four games in a row.

Muchova recovered the break and managed to level at 4-4. As the tension mounted, Pegula took advantage of a couple of new opportunities to secure another break and win the set 6-4, capitalizing on the large number of unforced errors from the Czech player (19).

Pegula capitalized on the momentum from the previous set and maintained her confidence with her serve. With the crowd increasingly involved at Arthur Ashe, the American secured an early break, pushing her ahead to 3-0. There was no room for Muchova to recover, as the home favourite clinched a second break in the 8th game and sealed the victory 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.