Jessica Pegula, the World No. 4 American, issued a bold yet composed warning to Aryna Sabalenka ahead of their 2025 US Open semifinal clash on September 4, 2025, a rematch of the 2024 final. After defeating Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, Pegula expressed a stress-free mindset, telling reporters, “I think it would be cool to be able to get revenge, obviously,” as reported by *Forbes* and *TennisWorldUSA*. Her relaxed demeanor stems from overcoming a challenging period, including a first-round Wimbledon exit and a 2-3 record in hard-court events before the US Open. “It’s not fun to stress yourself out… I got over it,” she said, per *Motorcyclesports.net*, reflecting on her mental turnaround.
Pegula’s commanding performance against Krejcikova, where she controlled the match from the outset, showcased her newfound confidence. She capitalized on Krejcikova’s seven double faults and 28% second-serve win rate, per *BBC Sport*, to secure her second straight US Open semifinal without dropping a set. This run, following her 2024 final loss to Sabalenka (7-5, 7-5), fuels her desire for redemption. “I didn’t even remember the score… I was like, ‘Wow, I was right there,’” Pegula noted, per *ProFootballNetwork*, indicating a shift from dwelling on mistakes to embracing the challenge.
Sabalenka, the World No. 1 and defending champion, advanced to the semifinals without playing her quarterfinal due to Marketa Vondrousova’s knee injury withdrawal, as reported by *Yahoo Sports*. The Belarusian holds a 7-2 head-to-head edge over Pegula, including a 6-3, 7-5 win in the 2024 Cincinnati Open final. Despite this, Pegula’s recent form—14 straight wins against players outside the Top 50 at the US Open, per @usopen on X—suggests she’s peaking. She acknowledged her favorable draw but emphasized her ability to “take care of business,” per *Forbes*.
Pegula’s warning carries weight given her mental fortitude, highlighted by her 2024 quarterfinal upset of Iga Swiatek. *ESPN* analysts note that Pegula must counter Sabalenka’s powerful serve and forehand, which produced 40 winners in their 2024 final, per *The Athletic*. Pegula’s strategy, as she told *ProFootballNetwork*, focuses on balance rather than overthinking tactics, aiming to disrupt Sabalenka’s rhythm. With the Arthur Ashe crowd behind her, Pegula’s stress-free approach and hunger for revenge set the stage for a thrilling rematch, with a potential final against Amanda Anisimova or Emma Navarro awaiting the winner.
