Jessica Pegula holds off Paula Badosa in Cincinnati semis for ninth successive win

Jessica Pegula is one win away from pulling off the Canadian Open-Cincinnati Open double.

In a battle of competitors holding recent North American summer hard-court hardware, Toronto champion Pegula held off Washington, D.C. title holder Paula Badosa, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, late Sunday afternoon.

I’ve been working a lot on my fitness and movement, especially being out. I had a rib injury so we got to do a lot on the lower body,” Pegula shared with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj. “I feel like I’ve been moving really great every single match the last couple weeks. That’s been really helpful and gives me a lot of confidence when I’m out there, especially in three sets.”

If Pegula is to complete the title sweep and notch a 10th straight victory, she’ll have to clear an in-form Aryna Sabalenka. The world No. 3 dominated top-ranked Iga Swiatek, 6-3, 6-3, in the first semifinal.
With Badosa appearing sluggish from the start, the American pounced in building a rapid 4-0 lead. Badosa ran down a drop shot to save a break point and later released a loud “come on!” once claiming her first game.