Jessica Pegula has finally broken through in Melbourne. On her fourth attempt at the QF stage, the American star produced a composed and clinical performance to defeat compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-6(1), securing her first-ever AO semifinal. The 31-year-old’s latest victory not only continues her impressive 2026 run but also sets up a blockbuster SF clash with Elena Rybakina.

Five years after falling to Jennifer Brady in an all-American AO QF, Pegula flipped the script - outlasting the 2025 Wimbledon and US Open finalist in a tight second-set battle that tested both her nerve and consistency. Pegula has made a habit of deep runs at Grand Slams, but Melbourne had remained an elusive frontier - until now. “It’s awesome,” Pegula said in her on-court interview. “I’ve been able to go deeper at the US Open the last couple years, but here was the first Slam that I really broke through at. And I was a three, and then this year, four-time quarterfinalist.”

This marks Jessica Pegula’s third Grand Slam SF and her first outside the US Open, confirming her growing reputation as one of the WTA’s most reliable big-stage performers. She also continues to dominate fellow Americans, extending her streak to 8 straight Grand Slam wins over American players. With victories over McCartney Kessler, defending champion Madison Keys, and now Amanda Anisimova, Pegula became the first American woman since Gigi Fernández in 1993 to defeat three compatriots in a single AO.

Both Pegula and Anisimova arrived in the QF without dropping a set, but it was Pegula who proved far more disciplined when it mattered. In her post-match interview, she further added. “I was like, ‘It’s got to be coming, you know. The next round, I’ve got to get to the semi.’ Because I feel like I play some really good tennis here, and I like the conditions. And I’ve always felt like, even matches I’ve lost here, that I’ve played well. So I’ve been waiting for the time where I could kind of break through.”

Anisimova’s error count in this match told the story. After averaging 28 unforced errors per match earlier in the tournament, she struggled again, finishing with 44 unforced errors and 7  double faults in the second set alone, compared to just 18 winners. 

Jessica Pegula, by contrast, kept her margins tight, striking 20 winners to 21 unforced errors and committing just two double faults overall. She generated 11 breakpoints, converting four, including two crucial breaks in the second set. After falling behind 5-3, Pegula showed her trademark resilience, breaking back immediately and forcing a tie-break.

“I felt like I was winning a lot of the points. I felt like I could win the rallies, and I felt like I could put pressure on her serve. So (after I was broken), I just told myself to, ‘Gear right back up. You’ve got to win this tiebreak unless you want to go to a third set.’ And I really didn’t want to. So luckily, yeah, I was able to kind of flip that switch.”

With this win, Jessica Pegula now prepares for a high-stakes SF against Elena Rybakina, one of the most dangerous players left in the draw. What did she say about her next opponent after securing her spot in the SF?

Jessica Pegula is well aware of the threat that Elena Rybakina possesses

Jessica Pegula’s blend of clean ball-striking, elite returning, and calm under pressure has made her one of the standout performers of the 2026 AO. After knocking out the defending champion and a two-time Grand Slam finalist, she has proven she belongs in the final four.

But having said that, Pegula knows her AO SF won’t be just another match; it will be a serious test against one of the most dangerous players on Tour. Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina have already built a competitive rivalry, having faced each other six times, with their H2H record currently tied at 3-3. That balance only adds more intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling SF clash on the fast AO courts.

Pegula’s game has been tailor-made for quicker conditions in Melbourne, and fellow American Madison Keys recently offered a sharp breakdown of why she’s so tough to play here. “You don't really want to keep firing back at her because the ball is just gonna start coming quicker and quicker.”

The exact pattern played out in Pegula’s QF win over Anisimova. Now, it’s time for Rybakina not commit a similar mistake to Amanda Anisimova.

Despite her own strong form, Jessica Pegula has been open about the immense challenge Rybakina presents. “She has a massive serve, big groundies, cool as a cucumber, you get nothing out of her. And she’s been playing some great tennis, honestly, since the end of last year. But I’m going to do my best to hopefully crack the code on her for the next round, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Jessica Pegula knows exactly what she’s up against, but if her Melbourne run has proven anything, it’s that she thrives when the challenge is greatest. Do you think Rybakina can stop this in-form American in the SF clash?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. 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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