Jessica Pegula triumphed over 16th-seeded Hailey Navarro, moving forward to the semi-final of the WTA China Open in Beijing. This match brings Pegula one step closer to an all-American final, which has never occurred in the tournament since its inception in 2004.
Pegula’s Determination in Beijing
Pegula, the number five seed, acknowledged the challenge posed by Navarro. “She did a good job of staying tough, but I felt I was playing the right way,” Pegula noted. Praised by local fans, Pegula has earned the nickname “Dafu,” which translates to “big rich” in Chinese, reflecting both her success in tennis and her background. Navarro, 24, is referred to as the “second rich,” indicative of the affluent families the players come from.
A Fight for Victory
- Navarro had previously lost both encounters with Pegula.
- She managed to fend off six set points to seize the first set in a tiebreak.
- Pegula rebounded strongly, minimizing Navarro’s chances to break her serve.
- After her victory, Pegula stated, “I told myself to not get too frustrated,” which helped her perform more freely.
Noskova’s Route to the Semi-Final
In another quarter-final, 26th-seeded Linda Noskova from the Czech Republic eliminated Britain’s Sonay Kartal with a score of 6-3, 6-4. This marked Kartal’s first appearance in a 1000-level quarter-final after she notably defeated fifth-ranked Mirra Andreeva earlier in the tournament.
Upcoming Matches
With Pegula advancing, the anticipation builds for a potential all-American final. The other semi-final will feature Coco Gauff, the defending champion, against Amanda Anisimova, who was a finalist at the US Open. Historically, the only American champions of the WTA China Open have been Gauff and the legendary Serena Williams.
