Jessica Pegula upset world primary Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 to win her second group stage match on the WTA Finals in Cancun on Tuesday and can advance to the semifinals if Elena Rybakina beats Maria Sakkari within the night match.
Pegula, who got here into the competition with a dismal 1-4 report towards the hard-hitting Sabalenka, managed to soak up her highly effective serve to increase rallies and thwart the Belarusian’s comeback makes an attempt.
Sabalenka, who has stated she didn’t really feel secure taking part in on the newly constructed Estadio Paradisus, by no means regarded completely comfy towards Pegula, committing 29 unforced errors on a sunny day within the coastal Mexican metropolis.
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The highest seed appeared on the comeback march within the first set when trailing 5-2 she pounded a thunderous forehand winner to interrupt Pegula and backed that up with a service maintain to drag inside a recreation of the American.
However Pegula saved her cool and captured the primary set after a tense rally ended with a backhand into the online by Sabalenka on set level.
Pegula raced out to a 4-0 lead within the second set however Sabalenka as soon as once more rallied, breaking serve to chop Pegula’s result in 5-3.
It took seven match factors within the marathon ultimate recreation of the match for Pegula to lastly ship the knockout punch, which got here when Sabalenka shanked a backhand to ship Pegula her fifth straight win over a top-10 opponent.
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After the match, Pegula pushed again on the notion that her recreation is missing in energy in comparison with the likes of Sabalenka.
“I hit arduous,” she informed Tennis Channel.
“Individuals don’t appear to assume I hit arduous, like commentators. Significantly, I don’t know why they are saying that. Possibly as a result of it appears like I’m not? I hit flatter, I don’t hit at heavy as perhaps as Aryna, however I hit arduous.”
Pegula will get an opportunity to indicate off her simple energy as soon as once more when she faces Sakkari in her ultimate group stage match on Thursday.