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American Jessica Pegula Dominates Maria Sakkari to Reach WTA Finals Semi-Final
The fifth-ranked American tennis player, Jessica Pegula, showcased her skills as she defeated Greek player Maria Sakkari with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in a flawless performance, securing her spot in the WTA Finals semi-final held in Cancun, Mexico. Pegula took advantage of a first set where both players struggled with their serves, particularly Sakkari, who committed five double faults and 20 unforced errors.
Pegula took an early lead in the match, breaking Sakkari’s serve in the third game and extending her advantage to 3-1. Another break followed, allowing Pegula to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Although Sakkari managed to win the seventh and eighth games, she lost her serve in the ninth game, giving Pegula a 1-0 set lead in just 37 minutes.
In the second set, a brief interruption occurred due to rain accompanied by strong winds. However, Pegula maintained her composure and broke Sakkari’s serve to take a 2-0 lead. Despite Sakkari’s efforts, she couldn’t find a response in the third game, and two double faults in a crucial moment led to her losing her serve, leaving her trailing 4-0. Although Sakkari managed to break Pegula’s serve in the fifth game, Pegula remained consistent and broke Sakkari again in the eighth game, securing her third consecutive victory by capitalizing on her opponent’s unforced errors.
“It was a challenging match, especially with the windy conditions. However, I tried not to let it affect my game too much. I feel a strong connection with the Mexican crowd, and I’m excited to continue competing here,” said Pegula, who previously won the Guadalajara Master 1,000 last year and has remained undefeated in tournaments held in Mexico.
Sabalenka and Rybakina’s Battle Interrupted by Rain
The other semi-finalist in the Bacalar group will be determined on Friday after the decisive match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina was suspended due to heavy rain in Cancun. Both players currently hold a 1-1 record in the group.
Sabalenka initially took control of the match, securing a 5-1 lead in the first set before rain interrupted play. After a brief delay, the first set concluded with Sabalenka winning 6-2. However, rain once again appeared during the second set, causing further interruptions. Rybakina managed to break Sabalenka’s serve and was leading 5-3 when rain forced the match to be suspended until Friday, adding to the already controversial WTA Finals due to the issues surrounding the tournament’s court preparation.
The remaining semi-finalists in the WTA Finals will be determined by the completion of the match between Sabalenka and Rybakina, as well as the matches between Coco Gauff and Marketa Vondrousova, and Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur in the Chetumal group. The tournament promises an exciting finish with Swiatek leading the group with a 2-0 record, while Gauff and Jabeur hold a 1-1 record, and Vondrousova is yet to secure a victory.
One Response
“Jessica Pegula delivers an impeccable display, outclassing María Sakkari to secure a spot in the WTA Finals semi-finals. A truly dominant performance from Pegula, showcasing her exceptional skills and determination. A well-deserved victory!”