Her name is Jessica Pegula, and even if you’re merely a modest tennis fan like men you’re aware that she’s as much of an American success story as the sport has to offer lately. In the wake of her most recent success earlier this week in one of the two venues that makes the concept of Flushing New York a good idea, CLUTCH POINTS’ Troy Finnegan pointed out exactly how far she’s come:
Last year, Jessica Pegula broke her Grand Slam quarterfinal curse at the US Open and made a run all the way to the final. She is now one win away from backing that run up after defeating Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Pegula is now into her second Grand Slam semifinal, with both final four appearances coming at the US Open in the last two years during her career resurgence. At 31 years old, Pegula is now the third American woman to reach consecutive US Open semifinals after the age of 30, along with Serena Williams and Chris Evert, according to OptaAce. Both Williams and (E)vert are legends of the sport and are two of the greatest champions in the history of women’s tennis(.)
And Emily Barnes of the NEW YORK CONNECT TEAM added this for emphasis:
Pegula is the first woman to reach back-to-back U.S. Open semifinals without dropping a set since Serena Williams (2011-14) and is seeking her first Grand Slam championship.
And tonight, with a fortuitously early (7 pm ET) start that hopefully will ensure more of America not fully obsessed with the NFL might be watching, she gets some additional motivation, as THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS’ Andy Clayton observed in yesterday’s preview:
Jessica Pegula has revenge on her mind. The Buffalo native went on a “crazy run” at last year’s US Open and found herself in her first Grand Slam final.
Opposite her on the Arthur Ashe court on that early September Saturday afternoon in Flushing was the imposing figure of Belarusian ace Aryna Sabalenka.
Pegula, 31, doesn’t remember much about that match. She couldn’t even remember the score (it was 7-5, 7-5). She just knew that she needed to improve her game if she wanted to avoid the bitter taste of defeat the next time she had a chance to face Sabalenka in a major clash.
Sabalenka, who won her first US Open last year to go along with two Australian Open titles (’23 and ’24), holds a commanding 7-2 lead in the head-to-head matchup with Pegula, including 4-2 on hard courts. They have only faced each other once since the Open final when Sabalenka beat Pegula, 7-5, 6-2, in the final of the Miami Open in March.
It’s the fact that she’s a Buffalo native that should make her fans all the more nervous. And not just your average one, either. She’s a Pegula. And THE MIRROR US’ Joseph McBride points out exactly what all means:
Terry Pegula is a multi-sport team owner, with his most valuable asset being the NFL franchise, the Buffalo Bills. Jessica Pegula often receives support from Bills fans due to her family’s ownership, and now the franchise owner has made the trip to New York City to cheer her on in her pursuit of her first Grand Slam.
Given his track record, not to mention that of his team even prior to his ownership, one might have advised her to beg Daddy stay away and wait all weekend for Sunday night, where the Bills will open up NBC’s weekly coverage by hosting a Ravens team that they narrowly ousted from last year’s playoffs before yet again being the victim of the Kansas City Chiefs in their quest for their first Super Bowl since the 90s–the fourth such ignominy bestowed upon them in this decade. And do recall that version went to four straight title games of their own and came up empty each time.
If Pegula’s level of success and accolade is rivaling that of her pop’s most valuable asset, defending MVP quarterback Josh Allen, this kinda makes Sabalenka Pat Mahomes.
Although based on the kind of ride that Terry is trotting out, he might fit in better with, say, the fiance of Mahomes’ trusted tight end. McBride provided some details on that as well:
Pegula’s $100 million yacht, which has proved controversial with the Bills fanbase given he is using taxpayer dollars to fund their new stadium, is moored in Long Island, approximately 30 minutes from Arthur Ashe Stadium.
So perhaps it shouldn’t be all that surprising that Jessica is doing her best to distance herself from that pedigree, at least while Terry is still breathing:
Although she stands to inherit a substantial fortune, Pegula has made it clear that she doesn’t consider the family wealth as her own. “Yeah, I mean, people say that,” Pegula said when asked about her family’s net worth. “I personally don’t have that money. It’s probably my dad or my parents.” “I don’t know why that kind of stuck. I mean, I understand, though”…”I mean, it is what it is. … It doesn’t really bother me. It would be nice if people didn’t say that. But do I really care? I mean, not really. It is what is. But, yeah … I don’t really think it matters how much money you have.”
You keep telling yourself that, Jess. Proud of you for at least wanting to forge your own path. Now go out there and prove once and for all that a Pegula can actually win a title.
Courage…