US star Jessica Pegula defeats world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to reach semifinals

Jessica Pegula emerged victorious over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, propelling herself into the semifinals of the WTA Finals.

In a captivating match held in Cancun, Mexico, Pegula sealed her victory with a 6-4 6-3 triumph, clinching the win on her seventh match point. This win is especially significant considering Pegula had only defeated Sabalenka once in their previous five encounters.

Pegula’s unbeaten run in the Finals continued after she defeated Elena Rybakina in straight sets on Sunday. As for Sabalenka, she now faces another showdown against Rybakina on Thursday to determine the second qualifier from the group.

In Tuesday’s other match, Rybakina secured a hard-fought 6-0 6-7 7-6 victory over Maria Sakkari. Unfortunately for Sakkari, this loss means she has been eliminated from the competition after consecutive defeats.

Pegula’s success against top five opponents has been remarkable, as she now boasts a five-match winning streak. The American player expressed her growing confidence and comfort in facing the world’s best athletes, overcoming the pressure to prove herself at their level.

Pegula credited her improved performance to a shift in mindset. As she stated, “I’ve had more confidence in those matches and that’s why I’ve achieved more victories against top-ranked players. I feel that’s where I’ve made progress.”

After a disappointing performance in the previous year’s Finals, Pegula has truly turned her game around. In 2023 alone, she has defeated three world No. 1-ranked players and boasts a 7-4 record against top 10 opponents, according to the WTA.

Pegula will face Sakkari in her final group match on Thursday, with her place in the next round already secured. Stay up to date with the latest news and newsletters from CNN by creating an account at CNN.com.