Jessica Pegula found a way to laugh at herself after a late-night US Open semifinal defeat to Aryna Sabalenka. Shortly after the match ended past midnight on Friday, the world No. 4 posted a tongue-in-cheek message on X while holding a Honey Deuce, poking fun at how well she served in the deciding set despite the loss.
Pegula’s Impressive Serving Performance
After the first two sets were split, Pegula was nearly flawless on serve in the third. She won 18 of 22 service points, including a run of 14 straight, and held to love in each of her final four service games. Even so, Sabalenka broke serve twice and defended her own service games under pressure, with Pegula unable to convert four break-point chances. The world No. 1 sealed the decider 6-4 to reach her third consecutive US Open final.
Pegula’s mood stayed light in the aftermath. In her news conference, she sat with a root beer–flavored lollipop, recalling a similar moment three years ago when she brought a beer to the podium after a quarterfinal loss to Iga Swiatek. She said she has felt strong against top opponents, noted she hadn’t faced a seeded player until the semifinal, and, considering how her summer had unfolded, was satisfied with the effort she produced in Flushing Meadows.
This resilience and ability to maintain a sense of humor in the face of defeat highlight Pegula’s character as an athlete. As she reflects on her performance, fans can expect her to come back stronger in future tournaments, possibly learning from both her victories and her defeats. It’s this combination of skill and personality that makes her a player to watch in the coming seasons.