In a post-match press conference that sparked debate among tennis fans, Jessica Pegula credited her dramatic third-round escape against Emma Raducanu at the 2025 China Open to a dose of “luck” on key backhand winners, drawing both praise for her humility and criticism for seemingly downplaying Raducanu’s near-victory. The American world No. 7, who saved three match points in a gripping second-set tiebreak, advanced to the Round of 16 with a 3-6, 7-6(11-9), 6-0 win on September 29 in Beijing—her third victory over the British No. 1 in four meetings. While Pegula’s gracious nod to fortune highlighted her sportsmanship, some observers saw it as a subtle dig at Raducanu’s inability to seal the deal, reigniting discussions on mental fragility in high-stakes moments.
The Match: A Thriller Turned Rout
Played under the lights on the Diamond Court, the clash pitted Raducanu’s resurgent form—fresh off her top-30 return—against Pegula’s steely consistency. Raducanu, seeded 30th, dominated the opener with sharp serving (75% first-serve points won) and aggressive forehand winners, slicing through Pegula’s defense to claim a 6-3 lead in 38 minutes. The second set turned into a baseline slugfest, with Pegula’s frustration boiling over as she tossed her racket after a missed break point.
The tiebreak became legendary: Raducanu surged to a 5-2 edge and earned three match points at 6-5, 7-6, and 9-8. Pegula, the US Open semi-finalist, clawed back with two blistering backhand winners on the first two—described by analysts as “spectacular cross-court lasers”—and forced a double-fault on the third from Raducanu’s serve. Pegula closed it 11-9, shifting momentum irreversibly. In the decider, Raducanu appeared drained, committing 22 unforced errors as Pegula reeled off six straight games for a bagel finish in 2 hours and 21 minutes.
This marked Raducanu’s second straight week squandering three match points (after Barbora Krejcikova in Seoul), extending her top-10 losing streak to nine matches. Head-to-head now stands at 3-1 for Pegula, all on hard courts.
Pegula’s Post-Match Comments: Humility or Subtle Shade?
Pegula, ever the composed pro, addressed the media with her trademark candor: “It was a crazy match… really intense but I got myself back into the tiebreak. When she hit the double-fault, I knew I was playing well and it was right there. I got a bit lucky when I hit the backhand winners. But I just tried to keep fighting for as long as I could.” She later elaborated on the “luck” factor, noting the shots “just went in clean” under pressure, while praising Raducanu’s level: “Emma played great— she deserved to be up those points.”
Fans and pundits split on the “lucky” remark. Supporters hailed it as Pegula showing her “true colours” as a class act—humble in victory, echoing her reputation for authenticity amid family business pressures and health scares. Critics, however, interpreted it as a veiled slight, implying Raducanu’s errors gifted the win rather than Pegula earning it outright. Social media buzzed with takes like “Pegula’s ‘lucky’ line is polite shade—Emma choked, but Jess owned it” and “True colours: Gracious winner vs. the Brit who can’t close.” Pegula, unfazed, added levity: “Honestly, I think I got a little bit lucky on two of those… but other than that, just fighting.”
Head-to-Head and Form Context
Pegula entered as the favorite (67% implied win probability), but Raducanu’s 2025 hard-court surge (27-19 record) made it competitive. Their prior clashes:
– 2022 Guadalajara: Pegula def. Raducanu 6-2, 6-3
– 2024 Eastbourne: Raducanu def. Pegula 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-5 (from match point down)
– 2025 Miami: Pegula def. Raducanu 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2
| Match | Surface | Winner | Score | Key Moment |
|——-|———|——–|——-|————|
| 2022 Guadalajara | Hard | Pegula | 6-2, 6-3 | Pegula’s baseline dominance |
| 2024 Eastbourne | Grass | Raducanu | 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-5 | Raducanu saves 5 match points |
| 2025 Miami | Hard | Pegula | 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 | Three-set grind |
| 2025 China Open | Hard | Pegula | 3-6, 7-6(11-9), 6-0 | Pegula saves 3 match points |
Fan and Analyst Reactions: A Polarizing Narrative
X (formerly Twitter) lit up post-match, with #PegulaRaducanu trending in tennis circles. Pro-Pegula voices lauded her resilience: “Jess showing true colours—humble queen saving MPs like it’s nothing.” Raducanu backers lamented the mental lapse: “Emma’s got the game, but that third set? Heartbreaking. Pegula’s ‘lucky’ comment stings though.” Analysts like those at WTA Insider noted parallels to Pegula’s own Berlin 2024 final heroics (saving 5 championship points), suggesting her experience tipped the scales.
Next for Pegula: Momentum Toward WTA Finals
The 31-year-old, chasing her first WTA 1000 title this year, faces Marta Kostyuk (who beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4, 6-2) in the last 16. A deep run could vault her toward a year-end top-5 finish, especially after titles in Bad Homburg, Charleston, and Austin. For Raducanu, it’s back to the drawing board—her Beijing points secured the top-30 milestone, but closing out big wins remains the next hurdle. Pegula’s “lucky” quip? In tennis’s grey areas, it reveals more about the winner’s poise than any intended slight.
