US Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka to face Jessica Pegula in women’s singles final

Pegula has raised her ranking over the past few years, leading to a much-anticipated Slam final.

It hasn’t been easy – for years he has been questioned about his quarter-final struggles, having reached the last eight of every major but failing to progress in six attempts.

He parted ways with longtime coach David Witt earlier this year before struggling with injuries, neck and back problems that derailed his clay court season.

Pegula also had little success at the Slams, missing the French Open and losing in the second round of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

He was brilliant against an off-colour Swiatek earlier in the week putting his quarter-final hoodoo behind him – but he got off to a poor start against Muchova, much to the dismay of the crowd.

Watched by his family, including his father, Terry, who owns the Buffalo Bills, Pegula fired fouls on the court, Muchova winning 19 of the last 23 points to upset the field.

It looked like the Czech, a smart player, would beat Pegula when she broke in the first game of the second set and made it 2-0.

Pegula then found herself 30-40 down and staring at a double break, before Muchova missed a routine volley and the momentum swung back to the American.

Cheered on by the crowd, the two traded breaks, before Muchova produced her worst tennis of the match to be broken and send proceedings to the decider.

Although Muchova upped the ante, Pegula was called, rarely missing early on, and called for a break before moving forward as her opponent fired long.