Jessica Pegula reacts after beating Karolina Muchova on Day 11 of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Jessica Pegula advances into U.S. Open final, making American tennis history

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Sep 6, 2024 12:19 AM ET

It didn't look good for Jessica Pegula after the first set of her semifinal match against Karolina Muchova on Thursday night.

After a dismal 6-1 drubbing, Pegula turned things around to take the second and third sets 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the U.S. Open championship match, her first-ever major final.

Believe it, Jessica Pegula!

You're in a Grand Slam final! pic.twitter.com/4VYlp8GtPq
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2024

It's a historic achievement for Pegula as she became the oldest female American to reach her maiden major final at 30 years old.

In addition, her presence in Saturday's championship confirms that it will be the first time since the 2002 tournament that an American woman and man will play in the respective finals, per ESPN's Chris McKendry.

Fellow countrymen Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will face off in Friday's semifinal for the opportunity to become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win the men's singles title.

Pegula will face world ranked No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the championship on Saturday.

She will look to be the second consecutive American to win the U.S. Open women's singles title (Coco Gauff, 2023).

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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