Jessica Pegula stunned world number one Iga Swiatek at the U.S. Open to secure her place in a long-awaited first Grand Slam semi-final. American Pegula had lost her past six major quarter-finals but she overwhelmed Polish top seed Swiatek 6-2 6-4 in New York. She will face Karolina Muchova on Thursday (Sep 5) for a place in the final after the Czech beat Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1 6-4.
"I've been (to the quarter-finals) so many freaking times but I kept losing," Pegula said.
"Finally - finally - I can say I'm a semi-finalist. Thank you to the crowd, you carried me through that last game.
"To do it at prime time against the number one player in the world - it's crazy, but I knew I could do it."
Pegula's success caps a strong showing for Americans at their home Grand Slam, with compatriot Emma Navarro facing Aryna Sabalenka in the other semi-final.
There is also guaranteed to be an American man in the singles final, with Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe meeting in the last four on Friday.
