Pegula's Grit Outlasts Anisimova — A Scare, A Tiebreak, A Semifinal Ticket

Jessica Pegula survived a late injury scare and a nervy final-set tiebreak to beat Amanda Anisimova and move into the semifinals. The match tilted between Pegula’s relentless depth and Anisimova’s sudden bursts of power, but it was Pegula’s composure in the clutch that ultimately decided the outcome. A brief medical stoppage in the second set introduced a worrying subplot, yet she returned to the court with steely focus.

Anisimova pushed hard, mixing flat winners with short-angle darts that repeatedly tested Pegula’s movement. Pegula answered with calculated variation — deeper returns, heavier first serves and selective approach shots that forced errors at critical moments. The turning point arrived late in the third set, a run of smart serving and a handful of aggressive returns that set up the decisive tiebreak.

From a tactical standpoint, Pegula’s win was textbook: neutralize the big swings, extend rallies, and convert the few short balls that Anisimova offered. The injury scare cannot be ignored — the team must manage her court time and recovery between now and the semis. Still, this was a psychological victory as much as physical; Pegula demonstrated the sort of match management that separates contenders from pretenders.

The Guru’s read is clear: if Pegula heals quickly and accepts a measured game plan, she is the favorite to reach the final. My recommendation is simple — prioritize treatment and shorten practice, not strategy, ahead of the semifinal; maintain the same tactical spine but trim the physical load. Expect Pegula to advance if medical staff contain the issue; otherwise, watch for a more cautious, serve-first version of her game.