June 23, (THEWILL) – American tennis star, Jessica Pegula, claimed victory at the 2024 Berlin Open, overcoming fellow countrywoman Coco Gauff in the semi-finals before besting Anna Kalinskaya in a thrilling final match.
The 30-year-old world number five demonstrated her skill and determination throughout the tournament, particularly in the rain-affected semi-final against top seed Gauff.
The semi-final clash, which began on Saturday, was suspended due to inclement weather with Pegula leading 7-5 6-6 (3-1) in the tiebreak. Upon resumption on Sunday, Pegula swiftly closed out the match, winning four of the last five points to secure her place in the final.
In a gripping final against 25-year-old Russian Anna Kalinskaya, Pegula faced early challenges, losing the first set in a tiebreak. However, she rallied impressively, claiming the second set 6-4 after an early break. The decisive third set saw Pegula take a 3-1 lead, only for Kalinskaya to fight back and force a tiebreak. Pegula’s mettle shone through as she saved five match points before clinching the championship with a 7-6(3) victory in the final set.
This triumph marks Pegula’s fifth career singles title and her first on grass, coming at an opportune moment just days before the commencement of Wimbledon. The American’s performance in Berlin bodes well for her prospects at the prestigious Grand Slam event, where she reached the quarter-finals in 2023.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
