Pegula saves match points to edge Potapova in late-night thriller in Miami

MIAMI — No.3 Jessica Pegula saved two match factors to advance to her seventh WTA 1000 semifinal, defeating No.26 Anastasia Potapova 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) within the Miami Open quarterfinals. A semifinalist in Miami final 12 months, Pegula turns into the primary American to succeed in back-to-back semifinals at Miami since Serena Williams in 2014 and 2015. 

Into her second WTA 1000 semifinal of the season, Pegula will face reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina within the semifinals on Thursday. Rybakina is bidding to change into the fifth lady to ever sweep the “Sunshine Double”, profitable Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back in a single season. Pegula holds a 2-0 head-to-head file towards Rybakina.

“I do not thoughts taking part in her, not less than prior to now,” Pegula mentioned. “Clearly she’s picked up her stage since then, so it’s going to be a tricky check, particularly after this match, simply bodily see how I really feel. Hopefully I can get well in time. At the least I’ve one other day.”

“I believe she and Sabalenka are those to beat proper now so it should be a terrific check and a deserved semi for a event like this.”

Pegula got here into the match with a 3-0 file towards Potapova, however the American was properly cautious of the problem earlier than her. Their most up-to-date assembly got here two weeks in the past at Indian Wells, the place Potapova had her on the ropes, main 3-1 within the remaining set earlier than Pegula mounted a comeback to win.

The beginning of the match was delayed for practically 4 hours resulting from rain, with the gamers taking the court docket at 10:45 p.m. The impact of the prolonged delay was evident from the beginning of the match, as each gamers struggled to search out their rhythm and depth from the baseline.

However after falling behind 2-0, Potapova performed cleaner, extra constantly aggressive tennis to win 5 straight video games and lead 5-2. Pegula closed the hole to 5-4, however she was damaged for the set after a Potapova backhand skimmed the again fringe of the baseline for a clear winner on set level. 

Pegula responded by halving her unforced error depend (19 to 10), enhancing her first serve share (50% to 63%), and going excellent on her break level probabilities (3 for 3). This time it was Pegula rebounding from a 2-0 deficit, because the American responded by profitable 4 consecutive video games to construct a 4-2 lead and drive a decider from there.

Potapova got here into the match main the Hologic WTA Tour in three-set wins with an 8-3 file, and he or she proved her mettle as soon as once more down the stretch. On an evening when a 2-0 lead proved precarious, Pegula noticed Potapova win 4 consecutive video games to steer by a break at 4-2. 

“She was simply taking part in fearless, simply going for her pictures, transferring nicely,” Pegula mentioned. “The important thing was to not get too annoyed and simply try to keep inside one break within the third regardless that I used to be actually gassed. I knew regardless she would get tight attempting to shut it out. She received somewhat tight and I used to be capable of take my probabilities.”

With Potapova serving at 5-4, Pegula saved two match factors from 40-15 down and broke on her third break level to stage the set. Undeterred, Potapova broke instantly to earn a second probability to serve out the win, however once more Pegula broke again, this time to drive a deciding tiebreak. 

This time Pegula constructed a lead she wouldn’t relinquish. Together with her forehand locked in once more, Pegula raced out to a 5-1 lead and closed out the win after 2 hours and 36 minutes. The match ended nicely after 1:00 a.m.