Jessica Pegula Reaches 2025 US Open Semifinals With Win Over Krejcikova
Pegula secures her second straight Grand Slam semifinal after defeating Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
New York, September 2 EST: Jessica Pegula didn’t explode in celebration when the final ball flew long. She just gave a small fist pump, a quick look to her camp, and walked to the net. That’s her way. Low-key and businesslike, but on this night inside a sweaty, restless Arthur Ashe Stadium, it was good enough to carry her past Barbora Krejcikova and into the US Open semifinals.
A Match That Never Slipped
From the very first games, you could feel Pegula had a grip on it. She broke Krejcikova early, settled in, and the rest felt like a slow squeeze. According to the Women’s Tennis Association, her flat strokes kept skidding through, robbing Krejcikova of the variety that usually unsettles opponents.
It wasn’t flashy tennis. No screaming winners, no wild swings. Pegula just kept the ball on a string, heavy and early, while Krejcikova looked like she was always a half-step behind.
Krejcikova Couldn’t Find Air
Krejcikova’s game is about change: mixing pace, sliding slices, and sudden bursts of attack. But she couldn’t breathe here. As The Guardian noted, Pegula didn’t let her. She stood inside the baseline, took time away, and forced Krejcikova to play shots she didn’t want.
By the middle of the second set, the Czech’s shoulders slumped. She jabbed at her strings after errors and looked at her box for answers that weren’t coming. The crowd sensed it too; the buzz inside Ashe shifted from tense to expectant.
The New York Crowd Behind Her
It matters that Pegula is one of just two Americans left in the women’s draw. The New York crowd grabbed onto that immediately. It wasn’t deafening noise, but a steady hum of support cheers when she dug out a tough rally, applause that lingered between points.
She doesn’t milk the stage the way others do. She isn’t waving arms or firing up the seats. But as The Sun pointed out, fans are starting to get her brand of grit. At one point, a group in the upper deck started chanting her name. Pegula barely reacted, just straightened her shoulders and went back to work. That’s who she is.
And the crowd seemed to love her more for it.
What Lies Ahead
The semifinal looms, and it won’t be gentle. Whoever stands across the net will hit harder, push deeper, and test the steadiness Pegula leans on. But that’s for later.
For tonight, she showed she can handle the weight of a quarterfinal on Ashe without blinking. She didn’t let the stage, or the crowd, or Krejcikova rattle her. That’s the difference between being a regular in the top 10 and being a real contender at a Slam.
Pegula isn’t the loudest story in tennis. But right now, with two matches to go and New York behind her, she’s one of the most convincing.
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A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.
