"She should be seeded but she never is": Jessica Pegula declares herself a 'big fan' of Karolina Muchova
WTA
Jessica Pegula previewed her US Open semifinal clash against
Karolina Muchova, following the Czech’s impeccable form. The two will face each
other on the night of Thursday, September 5, in their second encounter, this
time fighting for a spot in the final.
Pegula pulled off a stunning win over Iga Swiatek, with a
convincing 6-2, 6-4 result, and is riding a wave of confidence. The American
holds a 14-1 record since the Canadian Open and has yet to drop a set at
Flushing Meadows.
"She doesn't have many weaknesses": Pegula lauds Muchova's impressive game
However, her rival will be an equally inspired Muchova, who
needed just a handful of tournaments to return to her peak form, being the only
unseeded player left in the competition. The 28-year-old is in her second
consecutive US Open semifinal and is seeking to reach her second Grand Slam
final, her first being at the 2023 French Open, where she lost to Swiatek.
Muchova had already demonstrated her talent before, but her
rapid return to form after a long injury layoff and surgery is remarkable.
Pegula, her next opponent, praised Muchova, highlighting her versatile game:
"I'm a big fan of her. I think she's so good, so talented, so skilled as a
tennis player. So complete."
"She doesn't have a ton of weaknesses. We played for
the first time in Cinci, and I always laugh because she should be seeded, but
she never is," Pegula said. "So I always see in the draw when she
gets matched with someone good, and I'm like, she's back floating around in
these draws, and I don't want a part of that."
Muchova defeated Bia Haddad Maia in the quarterfinals 6-1, 6-4.
"In Cinci, I had to play her first round, and I was
like, damn it! But maybe it was a good thing in the end because now we get to
play each other tomorrow, and hopefully, it will be a good match," the
world No. 6 added. "She can play really well, and it doesn't seem to
matter how many matches she's played; she always gets good results. It's cool
to see her back because I think she's great for the game, and the way she plays
is really fun."
"She's tough, a great athlete, doesn't have many
weaknesses, and has gone deep in these slams before. I think she's just happy
to be back playing, and when you face players like that, they can be really
dangerous," Pegula added.
!["I have been [to the quarterfinals] so many freakin’ times. I just kept losing." Jessica Pegula shares main delight after ending Grand Slam hoodoo at US Open](https://r.testifier.nl/Acbs8526SDKI/resizing_type:fill/width:1920/height:1280/plain/https://s3-newsifier.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/tennisuptodate.com/images/2024-09/pegulauso-66d48f85f0eba.jpg@webp)
So far, Pegula and Muchova have only played once, just a few
weeks ago in the second round of the Cincinnati Open. Pegula came back from a
set down to secure the victory, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, on her way to the tournament
final.
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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