Some moments in sports are truly inexplicable.
Wuhan: Scores | Draws | Order of play
Jessica Pegula’s impressive streak in China—winning six three-set matches consecutively out of seven—might not match Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game or Serena Williams’ 39 successive Grand Slam titles, but it’s still noteworthy.
At the Dongfeng · Voyah Wuhan Open on Friday, Pegula lost the first set 6-2 to qualifier Katerina Siniakova in just over 30 minutes. After having spent more than 15 hours on the court in the past 13 days, she appeared exhausted.
But then, once again, something remarkable occurred.
Pegula dominated the second set, delivering a 6-0 rout in just 23 minutes to push the match to a deciding set. She eventually closed out the match with a 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 victory, making it to her first semifinal in Wuhan.
Even she struggled to explain her endurance. “I don’t know,” Pegula admitted post-match. “I guess I’m in really good shape. I’m just happy I’ve been able to adapt. While it might be less straightforward mentally and physically, I’d be content if I won every match from now on in three sets.”
Pegula also made history as the first player in WTA main draws to complete at least seven consecutive three-set matches since Jelena Ostapenko did so in 2023, winning five out of those eight. Pegula has already secured six wins in her streak.
Adapting Her Serve: In the early stage of the match, Pegula seemed to be forcing her shots more than usual, likely due to fatigue and Siniakova’s strong play. “I think I was just going for too much,” Pegula reflected. She made adjustments in the second set, focusing on relaxation and timing, which greatly improved her serve statistics.
Key Moments: While Pegula’s serve remained effective in the third set, it wasn’t as dominant as during the second. Siniakova, aiming for her first WTA 1000 semifinal, presented break point opportunities that Pegula skillfully defended. After finishing strong, Pegula ultimately clinched her 18th consecutive win against qualifiers and lucky losers.
Looking Ahead: Pegula is gearing up for her third consecutive semifinal after events in Beijing and the US Open. This marks her eighth semifinal in 2025, with a record of 5-2 from the previous ones. She faces Aryna Sabalenka again, against whom she holds a 2-8 record, having lost four in a row and eight of the last nine encounters.
However, there’s a silver lining: in three of the last five times Pegula faced Siniakova, she went on to claim the tournament title. For Pegula, to achieve success again, she will likely need to endure yet another three-set battle on her path.
