In a season defined by grit, comebacks, and marathon battles, American women have once again proved why their fighting spirit remains unmatched on the WTA Tour. When the 2025 season kicked off, few expected the recurring pattern that would soon emerge—the American players outlasting opponents in three-set thrillers, again and again. From veterans like Madison Keys to the new generation powerhouse Coco Gauff, America’s women have turned three-set survival into an art form.

Just a few days ago, we saw how Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys have already secured their spots at the WTA Finals. Now, some of these American women’s stars have added yet another feather to their cap. Four American women are currently leading the WTA Tour in three-set victories in the 2025 season:

Madison Keys has been one of the standout players this season. Currently ranked 7th in the world, Keys not only started her season with title triumphs in Adelaide and Melbourne (AO), but also made several longer runs in multiple tournaments this year. Her ability to steady nerves under pressure reminded fans time and again about why she’s long been considered one of the toughest competitors on Tour. Each comeback, each third-set tiebreaker she won, became another line in her growing reputation as one of the Tour’s most resilient.

Just like Keys, even Coco Gauff managed to win a major title (French Open) this year, while Amanda Anisimova had reached two finals at the Grand Slam stage (Wimbledon, US Open). Good times for American tennis? Why not! Previously, while sharing her thoughts on the performances of the American women’s tennis stars, Keys said, “I think that the U.S. women have pretty consistently done really well.”

Talking about consistency, the nation boasts four players inside the WTA Top 10 and ten players in the Top 50. Not only that, there are now seventeen American players featuring in the WTA’s Top 100. These stats not only show us the depth and the quality of the American women’s tennis, but they also demonstrate the players’ physical conditioning and emotional depth on court. In an era where momentum can shift in seconds, the Americans have made the grind their comfort zone. Do you know that the Americans have won 12 WTA Tour singles tournaments this year so far?

Each of these victories has been written with incredible grit and resilience, and guess what? There’s a thread connecting them all—from Madison Keys’ seasoned composure to Coco Gauff’s youthful fire—and it’s woven through a shared legacy that dates to Serena and Venus Williams. That same resilience, that same refusal to yield, now courses through a new generation determined to carry the torch forward. Just like Keys and Gauff, even Jessica Pegula’s incredible fightbacks have been the talk of the town this year.

Jessica Pegula closes the gap with Madison Keys by securing yet another three-set win in Wuhan

As the WTA season winds its way toward its biggest finales, one thing is clear: win or lose, these American women are redefining what it means to fight till the last ball. Their matches aren’t just contests—they’re stories of survival, belief, and the enduring spirit that keeps the stars and stripes flying high on the tennis map.

Currently ranked sixth in the world, Jessica Pegula has already won three titles this season, and guess what? She has now moved one step closer to a third with her two consecutive three-set triumphs at the 2025 Wuhan Open. She defeated Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova by 7-5,3-6,6-3 to secure a place in the QF of the Wuhan Open.

It was her sixth consecutive match, which went to three sets. Pegula has now won five out of them. Shortly after closing the gap with Madison Keys in the list of WTA players with the most three-set triumphs, Pegula said, “I can’t remember the last time I played two sets. But I’ve been competing really hard, and I’ve been playing a lot of really good players. It was different conditions today with the roof closed, and I think it took us a little while to get adjusted, but then I felt like it was a really high level there for the rest of the match. I’m just excited I was able to get over the finish line.” 

So, as per the latest updates, in this season, Jessica Pegula has played a Hologic WTA Tour-leading 25 three-set matches, compiling a 14-11 record. Only Madison Keys is now ahead of her in that list. Do you think Pegula can surpass her compatriot with a few more three-set triumphs at the Wuhan Open?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta