Trailing her U.S. Open semifinal against Karolina Muchova 1-6, 0-2, 30-40, Jessica Pegula undoubtedly would have lost the match if she had lost the next point. After all, a set and a double-break deficit–especially one as lopsided as 1-6, 0-3–is a death knell against an opponent playing as well as Muchova.
And Muchova seemingly had that next point won, too. The Czech was running Pegula all over the court, but the American came up with an incredible forehand pass.
Pegula ended up holding for 1-2 and her comeback was on. The 30-year-old American eventually prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Pegula talked about the turning point afterward.
“I was thinking, ‘Alright, that was kind of lucky,” she admitted. “‘You’re still in this.’ It comes down to really small moments that flip momentum.”
The world No. 6 will face Aryna Sabalenka for the title on Saturday afternoon.
