Jessica Pegula Battles Elena Rybakina in Thrilling WTA Finals Semi-Final
Tennis fans were treated to an electrifying semi-final at the 2025 WTA Finals, where Jessica Pegula faced off against the undefeated Elena Rybakina. This match promised fireworks, as Pegula, aiming for her second WTA Finals final appearance, squared off with Rybakina, who had been unstoppable throughout the tournament.
The opening set set the tone for the contest. Pegula managed to claim it 6-4, despite Rybakina hitting nine winners compared to Pegula’s two. However, Rybakina’s struggles with unforced errors—25 in that first set—proved costly. Pegula’s tactical approach, coupled with her superior movement around the court, allowed her to capitalize on the mistakes and take the crucial opening set. Even when Rybakina tried to fight back with a series of powerful serves and aggressive returns, Pegula’s consistency and court coverage kept her ahead.
During the break between sets, Rybakina headed off-court to gather her thoughts. Observers noted some strapping on her right shoulder, suggesting a slight discomfort that may have affected her performance. Nevertheless, she began the second set strongly, racing to 40-0 in her first game but briefly faltering with back-to-back double faults before holding serve.
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Pegula’s journey to this semi-final had been impressive. After losing a tight contest to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the round-robin stage, she bounced back with decisive victories over Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini. Her 3-1 advantage in the head-to-head against Rybakina added to her confidence, and the American displayed her usual resilience and precision, particularly on her first serve and in saving break points—areas that had been key to her success in Riyadh.
On the other side of the court, Rybakina had made headlines with her dominant run in the tournament. She swept her group matches, making it through the round-robin stage for the first time in her WTA Finals career. Known for her powerful serving, she had already recorded 18 aces in the group stages, converting 75% of break points, and winning over 80% of first-serve points. The World No. 6 had also beaten Pegula earlier in the season at the Billie Jean King Cup, so a highly competitive encounter was expected.
With the WTA Finals producing a fresh champion this year—none of the remaining four players had previously won the title—the stakes could not have been higher. Pegula’s combination of tactical skill, experience, and mental toughness was pitted against Rybakina’s raw power and precision serving, setting the stage for a thrilling battle.
As the match unfolded, every point counted, and fans watched with bated breath to see which player would advance to the final. With both athletes at the top of their game, it was clear that the semi-final would be remembered for the intensity, strategy, and sheer athleticism on display. Pegula’s performance was a testament to her perseverance, and Rybakina’s fight underscored why she remains one of the most formidable competitors on the tour.
In the end, it was Pegula who took the opening set and set the pace, but with Rybakina’s relentless power looming, the outcome remained anyone’s guess, keeping tennis enthusiasts glued to every serve and return.
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