In a stunning upset, Jessica Pegula triumphed over top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday, securing her place in the National Bank Open final with a hard-fought victory that saw her break serve a remarkable 11 times during the intense encounter. Pegula’s strategic prowess propelled her to a 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4 win, marking a significant achievement in her career.

Hailing from the United States, the 29-year-old Pegula entered the semifinals as the fourth seed, determined to overcome the hurdles that had thwarted her progress in previous rounds during the past two years. Reflecting on the grueling match, she expressed, “It was a great match… kind of a roller-coaster. Really up and down, but I’m glad I was able to hold my nerve there at the end.”

Notably, Pegula’s triumph came on the heels of fellow American Tommy Paul’s victory over top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s division in Toronto. This double success marked a rare feat for U.S. players, the last time it occurred being in April 2008 when Serena Williams and Andy Roddick achieved the same feat. Watch the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

Throughout the match, both Pegula and Swiatek faced challenges in maintaining their serves, with Swiatek breaking Pegula’s serve eight times. A total of only 11 out of 30 service games were secured between the two players, exemplifying the intense competition on the court. Pegula candidly admitted, “I was getting frustrated that I wasn’t holding… it was whoever could kind of consolidate the break.”

Despite the challenging conditions, Pegula managed to secure victory after 2 hours and 30 minutes of play. The final break of Swiatek’s serve was clinched as the top seed sent two shots long, sealing Pegula’s well-deserved win. Although Pegula had a chance to end the match earlier, Swiatek’s resilience saw her breaking Pegula’s serve to remain in contention, ultimately taking the set in a tiebreaker.

Interestingly, Pegula pondered whether the new Wilson extra duty balls used in this week’s tournament might be contributing to the players’ service struggles. She remarked, “I don’t know why this week all of us seem to be really having trouble, even girls that are considered the best servers on tour… Maybe we’re not used to it.”

Swiatek, who leads the tour with an impressive 50 match victories, acknowledged that the outcome hinged on her ability to maintain an aggressive playing style throughout the match. Her victory in the French Open earlier this year and recent title in Warsaw showcased her formidable skills on the court.

As Pegula advances to the final, her remarkable victory over Swiatek adds another layer of excitement to the National Bank Open, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the women’s tennis tournament. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.