By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday March 1 2024
The top-seeded American got past Anna Blinkova in three sets to reach her first semifinal of 2024.
Photo Source: Getty
Jessica Pegula is back in business – as usual – after a month-long hiatus. The fifth-ranked American slid past Anna Blinkova on Friday, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2, to reach the semifinals of the Cymbiotika San Diego Open.
30-year-old Pegula, playing in her first tournament since losing in the second round at the Australian Open, suffered a letdown in the middle set against the tricky Russian, but rebounded to close out her victory in style, in one hour and 33 minutes.
"She had an amazing run in Australia and she's been playing some good tennis," Pegula said. "She's such a great competitor, a great attitude on court. She makes you have to earn it."
Pegula will face Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the semis. The No.6 seed took out fourth-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the final match of the evening at Barnes Tennis Center.
American Emma Navarro eased past Daria Saville 6-4, 6-2 to set a semifinal with Great Britain’s Katie Boulter. Boulter defeated Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-3.
Third-seeded Navarro, who won her maiden title at Hobart in January, is now 15-4 on the season.
The 22-year-old is up to a career-high No.23 in the WTA live rankings.