Google News Jessica Pegula reflects on her journey to top after reaching first WTA 1000 final
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 3033
World No. 14 Jessica Pegula claimed a straight-set win over Jil Teichmann in the Madrid semifinal but afterward insisted it absolutely wasn't easy playing the 35th-ranked Swiss. Pegula, seeded at No. 12, defeated Teichmann 6-3 6-4 to progress into her first WTA 1000 final.
Pegula claimed the first break in the match in the second game but Teichmann broke back in the fifth game. Blowing an early break didn't impact Pegula, who broke Teichmann again in the sixth game and held on to her serve the rest of the set to win the opener.
A similar scenario happened in the second set as Pegula broke Teichmann in the opening game but Teichmann broke back in the eighth game. Pegula wasn't concerned by blowing a break as she broke Teichmann in the ninth game and served out for the match in the following game.
Pegula: Teichmann is super tricky
"[Teichmann is] a super tricky lefty," Pegula said, per the WTA Tour website. "It was hard because I felt like I couldn’t get a rhythm, really. Maybe the start of the first set she came out a little nervous and I was able to come out strong, which helped, but it was just tricky today." Next up for Pegula is a fourth career meeting versus world No.
10 Ons Jabeur. The head-to-head between the two stands at 2-2. Pegula won the first two meetings, before Jabeur won their last two months. All of their first four meetings were played on hard. After reaching the Madrid final, Pegula reflected on her and Jabeur's journey to becoming one of the best players on the WTA Tour.
Pegula could reach the top-10 for the first time in her career with a victory over Jabeur. "For me and Ons…she was ranked [in the seventies] like two years ago, I think I was like the same, so it’s pretty crazy," Pegula noted.
"It just shows you, hard work and determination, playing week in and week out, just trying to get better every week, you can get to the top as long as you believe it. So I think it’s great for both of us. It means a lot to me."