Pegula pounces on Anisimova 6-2, 7-6 to reach maiden Australian Open semifinal

In a northeast showdown, #4 took on #6 to make the final four. Jessica Pegula from Buffalo, NY, and compatriot Amanda Anisimova from Freehold, NJ, competed for a coveted spot in the semis down under.

Pegula, a month shy of her thirty-second birthday, is seven years older than her opponent. While both have attained a career-high rank of #3, last season Anisimova reached two Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon & US Open), while in 2024, Pegula made the final in NY (L. Sabalenka).

Pegula was seeking her maiden semifinal appearance in Melbourne, having reached the quarters for the fourth time in six years. Having reached the round of sixteen on three occasions (2019, 2022 & 2024), this was Anisimova’s first quarterfinal appearance.

[Martin Keep/AFP]

She had not dropped a set through four rounds against unseeded players, while Pegula defeated the defending champion Madison Keys in straight sets in the previous round. While Pegula led the head-to-head 3-0, they had not competed since the summer of 2024.

Anisimova opened the match and dumped serve following three consecutive unforced errors and a brilliant backhand return down the line from Pegula. The sixth seed struck three winners, including two consecutive aces and a fabulous inside-out forehand to consolidate the break for 2-0.

Anisimova donated three additional unforced errors and faced a break point, but held with two winners, including a blistering backhand crosscourt on game point. Pegula opened the fourth with a mishit backhand, but with two consecutive forehand winners, held to 15 for 3-1 while Anisimova gifted two more forehand errors, faced triple break point, and dropped serve.

Pegula hit two consecutive aces and a winning backhand down the line from the doubles alley to hold at love for 5-1. Anisimova, serving to stay in the set, struck three consecutive winners, including her first ace, and held for 2-5.

Pegula, serving with new balls, opened with her fifth ace but with her first double fault and two unforced errors, faced two deuce and a break point before clinching the set with an ace up the tee.
Anisimova served first in the second and, as the errors mounted, including her first double fault, faced three deuce and two break points yet held with a spectacular series of forehands and an error from her opponent.

Pegula opened with a backhand swing volley winner and held easily to 15 level while Anisimova upped the ante with a terrific forehand down the line to hold at love.

Pegula missed 3/4 first serves yet held to 15 for 2-2, while Anisimova, with her second ace and double fault, held to 30 to lead. Pegula committed two unforced errors but held to 30 for 3-3 while Anisimova, with two tremendous groundstroke winners, held to 30 despite her third double fault.

Pegula opened the eighth with an overcooked forehand, faced a double break point, and dropped serve with a netted backhand. Anisimova served for the set but faced a double break point and, with her fourth double fault, gave back the break.

Pegula made 4/6 first serves and, with a superb forehand crosscourt, consolidated the break to level at five. Anisimova continued to struggle with her toss and, with three additional double faults, faced two break points and dropped serve.

Pegula serving for the match, opened with a scintillating forehand down the line, but with a costly double fault and a mishit backhand, gave back the break. Anisimova was gifted another chance to force a deciding set. She served first in the breaker, and that would be the only point she won; with four additional unforced errors, she dug a ditch she could not escape.

Pegula maintained her composure with two magnificent backhand winners and a well-placed serve up the tee to reach her maiden semifinal in Melbourne. While she competed with steadfast consistency and focus, she irrefutably received an assist from Anisimova, who donated seven double faults in addition to forty-four unforced errors.

Pegula was impressive on serve, winning 70% of first serves and 64% of second serve points, and saved 2/4  break points while converting 4/11. Although she hit twenty-one unforced errors to twenty winners, she went 5/6 at net.

Pegula will face the fifth seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina. The twenty-six-year-old Kazakh dispatched world #2 Iga Swiatek in the quarters and is seeking her second final following a three-set loss to Aryna Sabalenka in 2023.

While the head-to-head is level at 3-3, this will be their first meeting at a slam.

Rybakina won their most recent encounter in three sets in the semis at the 2025 WTA Finals.