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But that’s just about all from me today, it’s been a lot of fun having your company as we watched Elena Rybakina (5) and Jess Pegula (6) advance through to the final four of the women’s singles.
Be sure to check back later this evening, where we’ll be bringing you all the action on a evening set to be highlighted by Ben Shelton (8) looking to upset the applecart and bundle Jannik Sinner (1) out in the quarterfinals.
I’ve been Joey Lynch, thanks for your company.
While both Pegula and Anisimova landed approximately 60% of their first serves in that one, the former was able to take 70% of those points compared to the 58% of the latter. Pegula also won 64% of her second serves, compared to the 39% logged by the frustrated Anisimova.
The older American also sent down six aces to two across the match, while logging just two double faults to seven. Tellingly, she only made 21 unforced errors compared to her opponent’s 44, too.
So, for the first time in her career, Pegula is through to the final four at the Australian Open — the ghosts of three straight quarterfinal exits between 2021 and 2023 now exorcised.
She’s been to the final and semifinals of the US Open in recent years and now will have a chance to knock off Elena Rybakina (5) in the coming days. The two have met six times previously – the ledger split evenly between them.
Updated at 23.21 EST
Jess Pegula advances to the Australian Open semifinals
Jessica Pegula (6) 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 Amanda Anisimova (4) Both Americans hold serve at the start of the tiebreak before Pegula secures a mini-break that makes it 3-1 following another unforced error from Anisimova.
A frustrated Anisimova spanks the court with her racquet after sending a backhand into the net to make it 5-1 and then screams at her coaching pod when she sends a backhand long. The dam holding back the frustration has well and truly cracked.
An unreturnable serve from Pegula brings up five match points as the serve goes back to Anisimova but she only needs one: the younger American firing a forehand into the net to fall in the last eight.
Jessica Pegula* (6) 6-6 6-2 Amanda Anisimova (4) Yet despite all the unforced errors and double faults, Anisimova can still hit a tennis ball really well, and she breaks back to bring up a tie break.
Pegula takes the first point but Anisimova responds to the pressure with a big overhead smash to level. Pegula responds by getting to the net and smashing an overhead winner of her own to move back ahead.
But a double fault from Pegula, just her second of the match, brings it level once more and Anisimova then brings up a break point. A forehand from Pegula then goes long, sending us to a tiebreak.
It’s clear from the frustrated way that she’s carrying herself that Anisimova’s not in the same zone as Pegula. Beyond her mounting double faults, she’s committed 41 unforced errors to Pegula’s 18.
Amanda Anisimova reacts on a point. Photograph: Izhar Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 23.10 EST
Jessica Pegula (6) 6-5 6-2 Amanda Anisimova* (4) After taking the first point, Anisimova double faults – with her second fault flying all the way into the coach’s pod. Yikes.
She recovers to land her next first serve and make it 30-15 and then moves it to 40-15 when an attempted sliced forehand by Pegula can’t clear the net. Yet another double fault allows Pegula back into the service game and it’s then deuce when Pegula works the point really well and is rewarded when Anisimova launches a forehand into the net.
A third double fault of the service game brings up break point – Anisimova now has seven to Pegula’s one – but she survives, frustration nonetheless evident on her face after the point, after a forehand error from Pegula. Keying in on a second serve, Pegula smashes a forehand return winner to bring up another break point and then takes it when Anisimova sends a backhand into the net.
Pegula can now serve for a place in the semifinals.
Jessica Pegula* (6) 5-5 6-2 Amanda Anisimova (4) Anisimova takes the first point at the end of a long baseline battle – her ball striking just a level above her opponent’s on that exchange – but Pegula answers back with a really nice forehand winner.
Anisimova sends a forehand return wide and long to fall behind and then can’t get a handle on a serve sent down the T as Pegula brings up 40-15. The younger American forces Pegula to stretch and send a baseline forehand long to keep the game alive but another good serve induces a long return and seals a calm hold of serve.
Jessica Pegula (6) 4-5 6-2 Amanda Anisimova* (4) Aaaaaaaannnnnd the breakthrough that Anisimova worked so hard for is instantly wiped away, as Pegula breaks straight back.
Pegula takes the first point and while Anisimova answers back initially, she follows that with unforced errors that give her opponent two break points. After a lengthy battle on the baseline, Anisimova sees off the first when Pegula lifts a shot long but a double fault then follows.
That’s got to be dispiriting for the 24-year-old; the question now is will that mental blow carry over?