After straight set romps in her first two matches, Pegula received her first test in the form of gritty veteran Svitolina, a U.S. Open semi-finalist in 2019.
Pegula had the only break in a tight opening set but that would be all she needed for a 1-0 lead.
In the second it was Svitolina finally getting her first break chance and making the most of the opportunity to pull level.
The last time Flushing Meadows had a chance to celebrate a homegrown women's champion was in 2017 when Sloane Stephens beat Keys in an all-American final.
Keys is back and making another run after taming 14th seed Liudmila Samsonova 5-7 6-2 6-2 to set up the clash with Pegula.
Persons:
Jessic, Elina Svitolina, USTA Billie Jean King, Robert Deutsch, Jessica Pegula, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Madison Keys, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Pegula, Svitolina, Sloane Stephens, Keys, Gauff, Belgian Elise Mertens, Peyton Stearns, Katie Boulter, Steve Keating, Ken Ferris
Organizations:
USTA Billie, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, U.S, Canadian, Belgian, Thomson
Locations:
Flushing , NY, USA, Ukraine, Flushing, Flushing Meadows, U.S, New York