Pegula wins Seoul to capture second title of the season

No.4 Jessica Pegula emerged victorious in the final of the Hana Bank Korea Open, defeating China’s Yuan Yue 6-2, 6-3. This win marked Pegula’s second title of the season and fourth overall.

As the top seed who accepted a wild card entry, Pegula showcased her dominance throughout the week, dropping only one set. She became the first American since Venus Williams in 2007 to claim the title in Seoul. Pegula’s triumph in Montreal earlier this summer, coupled with her recent win, signifies a milestone in her career as she secures multiple titles in a single season for the first time.

“Winning here is exceptionally meaningful to me since my mom is Korean and was adopted from this country,” Pegula expressed with joy.

Reflecting on her journey, she added, “Over the past few years, as my ranking has risen, I’ve received tremendous support from the fans—more than I anticipated upon returning here after five years. It truly holds a special place in my heart.”

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Pegula’s triumph against Yuan, ranked 128th, marks her 53rd victory of the season—tying her with No.1 Aryna Sabalenka for the second-highest wins on the Hologic WTA Tour, only surpassed by No.2 Iga Swiatek (63).

On her path to victory, Pegula conquered Viktoria Hruncakova, Ashlyn Krueger, Claire Liu, and Yanina Wickmayer, earning her spot in the fourth final of the year and her second in the Asian swing following her runner-up finish in Tokyo.

Pegula qualifies for second straight WTA Finals in singles and doubles 

For Yuan, this week in Seoul marked significant milestones in her career. Making her first-ever WTA quarterfinal, semifinal, and final appearances, she displayed impressive skill and achievement. Notably, she secured her second Top 30 victory in two weeks, defeating No. 29 Marie Bouzkova in the quarterfinals.

Pegula acknowledged Yuan’s talent during the post-match interview, saying, “Our previous encounter was challenging, and this one proved to be another battle. You possess tremendous skill, and I assure you that your ranking will rise. Although this is your first final, I am confident that many more are in store for you.”

In their second meeting on the court, Yuan exhibited no signs of nervousness, showcasing her power and aggression in the opening games. However, Pegula responded with a forehand winner to deny Yuan a break point opportunity in her first service game.

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Having successfully nullified Yuan’s early pressure, Pegula capitalized on her momentum, winning eight consecutive games after trailing 2-1. Although Yuan’s first serve proved formidable when it landed, she struggled with her second serve, winning just 5 of 13 points in the first set.

Pegula maintained her dominance in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead. Although Yuan managed to break back once, Pegula’s unwavering performance from the baseline sealed her first title outside of North America.

Pegula enthusiastically spoke about her love for the tournament, stating, “I am thrilled that this tournament will become a 500 next year. Hopefully, we can attract even higher-ranked players and encourage more women to participate. The city is remarkable, and I have immensely enjoyed my time here.”

In the doubles category, the No. 2 seed duo of Marie Bouzkova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands clinched the title by defeating Luksika Kumkhum and Peangtarn Plipuech from Thailand with a score of 6-2, 6-1. This victory marks Bouzkova’s second consecutive doubles title, following her win at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing a week ago alongside Sara Sorribes Tormo. For Mattek-Sands, it is her first doubles title of the season.