She has continued to shine in Cincinnati
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After a stellar title defense in Toronto, where she became the first woman since Serena Williams to win ten consecutive matches at the tournament, Jessica Pegula has continued to shine in Cincinnati.
Her latest victory in the semifinals against Paula Badosa secured her a spot in the Cincinnati Masters final, placing her among some of the sport’s greats.
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Pegula’s achievements this season have set her apart. She’s now one of only six players in the Open Era to reach the women’s singles finals at both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open in the same year.
This accomplishment is significant, as the last American to do so was Serena Williams in 2013. Before Williams, the feat was achieved by Rosie Casals in 1970, Evonne Goolagong in the early 1970s, and later by China’s Li Na in 2012. Pegula’s success this year adds her name to this elite list, highlighting her breakthrough in the sport.
“First, I couldn’t believe I was able to even have a chance to defend Toronto, and then now here, coming into this week, it’s pretty crazy, but amazing that I’ve been able to give myself that chance [to win both],” she said.
A challenging path to glory
The path to these finals hasn’t been easy for Pegula. She has battled injuries and periods of inconsistent form, but her determination has driven her forward.
With the Cincinnati final looming, Pegula has a chance to join Evonne Goolagong Cawley as the only woman to win both events in the same year, a record set in 1973.
Pegula has often spoken about the honor of seeing her name alongside tennis legends like Serena Williams. She was particularly moved when, in 2022, she found herself mentioned in the same breath as Williams after a milestone at the Madrid Open.
“It’s crazy that in that realm I’m able to hit and be mentioned in the same statistics as her,” she noted.