[1/4] Oct 31, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; Jessica Pegula (USA) returns a shot during her match against Aryna Sabalenka on day three of the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals Cancun.
But Pegula kept her cool and captured the first set after a tense rally ended with a backhand into the net by Sabalenka on set point.
Pegula raced out to a 4-0 lead in the second set, but Sabalenka once again rallied, breaking serve to cut Pegula's lead to 5-3.
After the match, Pegula pushed back on the notion that her game is lacking in power compared to the likes of Sabalenka.
The Kazakh world number four will take on Sabalenka on Thursday in a battle to reach the semis, while Pegula, already through to the semis, will face Sakkari in their final group stage match.
Persons:
Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka, Susan Mullane, Elena Rybakina, Maria Sakkari, Pegula, Sabalenka, Rybakina, Sakkari, Rybakina's, Maria, We're, Rory Carroll, Chiranjit, Lincoln, Sonali Paul
Organizations:
Cancun, WTA, Estadio Paradisus, Pegula, Tennis, Kazakh, Thomson
Locations:
Cancun, Mexico, Mexican, Los Angeles